Happy Saver remains under consideration for G1 Whitney

July 31, 2021

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said a possible Saturday morning work will determine if Grade 1-winner Happy Saver will race in the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney at Saratoga Race Course on August 7. 

A Wertheimer and Frere homebred, the son of Super Saver conquered his lone Grade 1 test when outdueling subsequent Dubai World Cup champion Mystic Guide in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup in October at Belmont Park. 

Happy Saver fired off a seven-month layoff with vigor when defeating allowance optional claiming company on May 28 going a one-turn mile over Big Sandy in his seasonal debut before tasting defeat for the first time last out in the Grade 2 Suburban on July 3 over a sloppy and sealed Belmont main track. 

“We were hoping to get a work in today, but that didn’t happen, so we’ll see what goes on tomorrow,” Pletcher said. “We’ll breeze on the main track tomorrow morning if we’re happy with the surface.”

Pletcher has previously won the Whitney with Left Bank [2002], Lawyer Ron [2007] and Cross Traffic [2013]. 

Happy Saver drew the outside post in the six-horse Suburban field, appearing to flatten out in the stretch, but ultimately was game enough to round out the trifecta, finishing 2 ¾ lengths behind winner Max Player. 

“He ran well in only his second start of the year. He had a wide trip, but it was a solid effort. We’ll see how he goes tomorrow and make a decision,” Pletcher said.

NYRA Press Release

Photo: Happy Saver winning the JCGC October 10, 2020, at Belmont (NYRA/Coglianese)

Another winner for @AmWager customers from @jonathanstettin.If you're not currently playing with @AmWager. Why not??

Iam Meyers @ihmeyers View testimonials

Facebook