So Happy was in fine fettle the morning after winning the Santa Anita Derby (G1). "He ate good and looked great this morning," trainer Mark Glatt said. "He seems to be in good spirits."
The Brad Cox barn captured three of the five graded stakes on the April 4 program at Keeneland, highlighted by the 11-length victory by Spendthrift Farm's Further Ado in the $1,250,000 Blue Grass Stakes (G1).
Trainer Riley Mott knew it would be a big ask for Albus to go from a 1-mile and 40-yard maiden victory to the 9-furlong Wood Memorial, but the colt responded with aplomb to win the prestigious test at Aqueduct Racetrack.
With a total purse of ¥172,250,000 (approx. US$1.07 million), the Kawasaki Kinen, which takes place April 8 over 2,100 meters (about 10 1/2 furlongs) on the dirt at Kawasaki Racecourse, has attracted a strong field.
Delacroix is to have a busy first campaign as a Coolmore sire with the news he will be shuttling to Australia later this year. His fee has already been announced at AU$38,500.