Acting Happy
Encyclopedia
Acting Happy is an American Thoroughbred
filly
racehorse
. The daughter of Empire Maker
will best be remembered for posting a 1-1/2 length win in the mile and an eighth Grade II
$200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
at Pimlico Race Course
in May 2010.
in a nine furlong maiden special weight race. Acting Happy then finished as a runner-up in a pair of allowance races at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Richard E. Dutrow, Jr., her connections decided to have her step way up in class and entered her in her stakes debut in the second jewel of America's defacto Filly Triple Crown, the Black-eyed Susan Stakes.
Acting Happy made a big splash in that race by putting away favored Tidal Pool in upper stretch and then held off a late run from No Such Word to pull off an amazing 11-1 upset in the $200,000 grade two Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
for 3-year-old fillies on May 14, 2010 at Pimlico Race Course
.
Acting Happy was making only the fourth start of her career with just a maiden win and two placings to show for her efforts. But the step up in class did not seem to bother the dark brown filly, as she received an ideal pace-pressing trip under her jockey Jose Lezcano
while following longshot Khancord Kid through opening splits of :23.7 and :47.5. Tidal Pool, the third-place finisher in the grade one Kentucky Oaks was also tracking the leader.
Meanwhile, Khancord Kid, Tidal Pool, and Acting Happy were heads apart coming off the final turn. After Acting Happy wore down a stubborn Tidal Pool approaching the sixteenth-pole, she had enough to hold off a late charge from No Such Word, hitting the wire 1-1/2 lengths in front.
The final time was 1:50 flat over a fast track. No Such Word and jockey Terry Thompson were 2-1/4 lengths clear of third-place Tidal Pool.
Later that year Acting Happy finished in-the-money in two grade one races by showing in the Coaching Club American Oaks
at nine furlongs and the Alabama Stakes
at ten furlongs both at Saratoga Race Course
.
Acting Happy finished her career never having finished out of the money in eight starts. She won two races, placed second three times and showed third twice banking career earnings of $226,000.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
filly
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. The daughter of Empire Maker
Empire Maker
Empire Maker is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Owned and bred by Prince Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms, he was sired by champion Unbridled, winner of the 1990 Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic...
will best be remembered for posting a 1-1/2 length win in the mile and an eighth Grade II
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
$200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $250,000...
at Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
in May 2010.
Three year-old season
Acting Happy did not race as a two-year old but won her debut race on January 24, 2010 at Gulfstream ParkGulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino is a racetrack and county-approved racino in Hallandale Beach, Florida, in the United States. During its annual meet, which spans December through April, it is one of the most important venues for horse racing in America....
in a nine furlong maiden special weight race. Acting Happy then finished as a runner-up in a pair of allowance races at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Richard E. Dutrow, Jr., her connections decided to have her step way up in class and entered her in her stakes debut in the second jewel of America's defacto Filly Triple Crown, the Black-eyed Susan Stakes.
Acting Happy made a big splash in that race by putting away favored Tidal Pool in upper stretch and then held off a late run from No Such Word to pull off an amazing 11-1 upset in the $200,000 grade two Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $250,000...
for 3-year-old fillies on May 14, 2010 at Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
.
Acting Happy was making only the fourth start of her career with just a maiden win and two placings to show for her efforts. But the step up in class did not seem to bother the dark brown filly, as she received an ideal pace-pressing trip under her jockey Jose Lezcano
Jose Lezcano
Jose Lezcano is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. He rides in New York in the spring, summer and fall and spends the winter in Florida. His big break came in 2008 when he won a Breeders' Cup race....
while following longshot Khancord Kid through opening splits of :23.7 and :47.5. Tidal Pool, the third-place finisher in the grade one Kentucky Oaks was also tracking the leader.
Meanwhile, Khancord Kid, Tidal Pool, and Acting Happy were heads apart coming off the final turn. After Acting Happy wore down a stubborn Tidal Pool approaching the sixteenth-pole, she had enough to hold off a late charge from No Such Word, hitting the wire 1-1/2 lengths in front.
The final time was 1:50 flat over a fast track. No Such Word and jockey Terry Thompson were 2-1/4 lengths clear of third-place Tidal Pool.
Later that year Acting Happy finished in-the-money in two grade one races by showing in the Coaching Club American Oaks
Coaching Club American Oaks
The Coaching Club American Oaks is a race for thoroughbred three-year old fillies and the second leg of the Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing. Originally run at Belmont Park, the Grade I $250,000 stakes race was moved to Saratoga Race Course in 2010....
at nine furlongs and the Alabama Stakes
Alabama Stakes
The Alabama Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race open to three-year-old fillies. Inaugurated in 1872, the Grade I race is run over a distance of one and one-quarter miles on the dirt track at Saratoga Race Course. Held in mid August, it currently offers a purse of $500,000...
at ten furlongs both at Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
.
Acting Happy finished her career never having finished out of the money in eight starts. She won two races, placed second three times and showed third twice banking career earnings of $226,000.