Pedigree Profile: Happy Saver

Looking for a horse who’s bred from top to bottom to thrive over classic distances? Look no further than Happy Saver, who brought his record to a perfect 3-for-3 when rallying to victory in the 1 1/8-mile Federico Tesio S. on Sept. 7 at Pimlico.

Happy Saver’s multilayered pedigree is practically dripping with the speed and stamina necessary to thrive over extended distances. Just consider Happy Saver’s sire, Super Saver. While he’s best known for siring champion sprinter Runhappy, Super Saver is also responsible for a significant number of two-turn stakes winners—1 1/4-mile Alabama (G1) winner Embellish the Lace, 1 1/4-mile Copa Invitacional del Caribe winner Letruska, and 1 1/8-mile Oaklawn Handicap (G2) winner Inside Straight, to name a few.

Super Saver himself displayed enough stamina to win the 2010 Kentucky Derby (G1), and his long-winded genetics can be attributed to multiple sources. His sire, champion 2-year-old Maria’s Mon, surely contributed stout bloodlines to the equation—he had previously sired 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos. But the dam side of Super Saver’s pedigree is equally strong—dam sire A.P. Indy won the 1992 Belmont Stakes (G1) and is renowned as a source of stamina, and Super Saver’s half-siblings Cyrus Alexander and Brethren were both graded stakes winner racing a mile or farther.

Happy Saver's dam, Happy Week, also offers promise as a source of stamina. While she herself was best as a sprinter, placing twice against stakes company, Happy Week is also a daughter of Distorted Humor, the sire of 2003 Kentucky Derby/Preakness winner Funny Cide and 2010 Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer.

Distorted Humor’s own stamina reserves topped out at a mile, but as his stud record indicates, he’s capable of siring more long-winded types. His daughters have also been productive sources of classic stamina; examples include champion 3-year-old and 1 1/4-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Arrogate, Hong Kong 4-Year-Old Series sweeper Golden Sixty, and two-time 1 1/4-mile Delaware H. (G2) winner Elate.

Dig deeper into Happy Saver’s pedigree, and you’ll continue finding classic bloodlines in every corner. He’s inbred to the Secretariat mare Weekend Surprise, once through her acclaimed son A.P. Indy and once through her daughter Lassie’s Legacy, the dam of Happy Week. Lassie’s Legacy was sired by Deputy Minister, another source of stamina and a grandson of 1964 Kentucky Derby winner Northern Dancer, who appears three times in the first five generations of Happy Saver’s pedigree.

Throw in a couple strains of Mr. Prospector and Buckpasser, and Happy Saver’s pedigree is seemingly custom-built for success over classic distances. The Oct. 3 Preakness (G1) is under consideration for Happy Saver’s next start, and while there are no certainties in racing, it seems reasonable to conclude the 1 3/16-mile distance will be no obstacle for this talented and improving colt.