Happy Jack: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Happy Jack
April 29th, 2022
Happy Jack exits a pair of fast races, the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and San Felipe (G2), and he earned enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby by finishing a non-threatening third in both. A debut maiden winner at Santa Anita in late January, the Kentucky-bred bay colt has gained valuable stakes experience despite not being a serious factor in three stakes appearances, and the Kentucky-bred will be running late for an accomplished Kentucky Derby stable.
What to know about Kentucky Derby 2022 horse Happy Jack https://t.co/o0be755qXq
— Derby News (@KentuckyDerbyCJ) April 19, 2022
Happy Jack Speed Figures
Top Brisnet Speed: 97, Santa Anita Derby
Top Brisnet Late Pace: 95, Santa Anita Derby
Happy Jack Pedigree
Sire: Oxbow
Happy Jack is by Oxbow, who captured the Preakness in 2013 after finishing sixth in the Kentucky Derby. Oxbow’s most accomplished offspring so far, Grade 1-winning millionaire Hot Rod Charlie, was second in the 2021 Kentucky Derby for O’Neill.
Dam: Tapitstry
Her first two foals were winners, and Happy Jack is the first stakes-placed runner from the Tapit mare Tapitstry. Happy Jack counts Chic Sheba, a daughter of 1988 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Alysheba, as his second dam.
Happy Jack Connections
Owner: Calumet Farm
A homebred for iconic Calumet Farm, which leads all owners with eight Kentucky Derby wins, Happy Jack will be the farm's 28th Kentucky Derby starter, the eighth since Calumet was purchased by Brad Kelley in 2012. Homebreds have won 11 of the last 18 runnings of the Kentucky Derby.
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Doug O’Neill is one of 19 trainers with multiple Kentucky Derby wins. I’ll Have Another, O’Neill’s third starter in the first leg of the Triple Crown, upset the 2012 edition at 15-1, and Nyquist provided a second trophy when scoring as the favorite in 2016. Since taking out his license in 1989, O’Neill has won more than 2,600 races, and the 53-year-old conditioner owns a stellar 7-2-1-0 Kentucky Derby record.
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Rafael Bejarano will pick up the mount on Happy Jack, and it will be his 12th appearance in the Run for the Roses. Now based in Kentucky, Bejarano’s best previous result was a fourth on Papa Clem in 2009.
Learn about all of the Kentucky Derby Contenders and the lead up to the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports here on TwinSpires.com
