As a son of champion male sprinter Runhappy, So Happy wasn't supposed to be able to get the 1 1/8-mile distance of the Santa Anita Derby (G1). But he did—by 2 3/4 lengths—and the reasons could range from the practical to the spiritual.
First of all, credit the colt's own constitution and fortitude, along with an excellent training job by Mark Glatt. Then add in Blame , his broodmare sire, who defeated the mighty Zenyatta in the 1 1/4-mile Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) in 2010. But the real truth could be it was a push from Dena Glatt, Mark's wife, who died unexpectedly Feb. 12 at age 57.
The distance was the biggest question mark, as So Happy squared off April 4 at Santa Anita Park against 6-5 favorite Potente, a $2.4 million yearling sale purchase who was undefeated in two starts from the Bob Baffert barn; Baffert-trained Cherokee Nation; grade 1 winner Intrepido; and three others.
Potente and Robusta set the early pace, with Potente being responsible for the first quarter-mile in :23.03. So Happy, under jockey Mike Smith, rated in third.
"Today he really felt fit and ready to race," Smith said.
The stalking position suited So Happy perfectly. He was able to challenge the leaders going into the second turn. Robusta began backing up, ultimately finishing last, but Potente stuck with So Happy around the turn and into the stretch.
The favorite gamely battled with So Happy, but So Happy "kept on going today," Smith said. In the final sixteenth, So Happy put away Potente to cross the wire 2 3/4 lengths ahead in 1:49.01. Potente was the best of the rest, coming home 6 3/4 lengths in front of longshot Vitruvian Man in third.
"There's more there in the tank for sure," Smith said. "I'm looking forward to going to Kentucky again."
So Happy earned 100 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points with the win. The Santa Anita Derby also awarded 50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby points for second through fifth.
So Happy races for Hans and Ana Maron's Saints or Sinners and Robert Norman's Norman Stables. The Marons are longtime clients of Glatt's, and over the years had become good friends with Mark and Dena.
"This is very emotional because of what Dena went through," Ana Maron said. "I kept saying it's not just for us anymore. You have to think about what a joy this will be bringing the Glatt family."
Mark Glatt, usually all business in postrace interviews, spoke emotionally with Michelle Yu of Santa Anita about what the win meant and how the Marons have supported him.
"We have had an overwhelming amount of support that's helped us get through this very tough time," Glatt said. "(Dena) got that horse there today. I'm just so thankful to the owners for giving me this opportunity. They are big contributors to my stable. I just appreciate their friendship. Since Dena's passing, they've called me every night. They've just been tremendous."
Following that on-camera interview, Glatt gathered his more practical trainer thoughts and spoke about So Happy.
"He got back within a month's time, and horses are going to improve second time two turns," he said.
So Happy won his first two starts around one turn, including the 7-furlong San Vicente Stakes (G2), and then ran third behind Potente and Robusta in the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe Stakes (G2).
"I thought Mike put a beautiful ride on him today, settled him into a perfect spot," Glatt said. "Just having had a two-turn effort under his belt and getting back in in a relatively short period of time and then getting a really nice trip today was the difference."
Immediately after the race, Hans tried to process the fact that their horse could actually start in the Kentucky Derby.
"Hans loves this and this has been his dream," Ana said.
"It's pretty amazing," Hans said. "The horse took us here. Mike was always really confident. Today he got to settle, get in his rhythm, and run his race."
The Marons live in Chandler, Ariz., but recently bought a farm near Versailles, Ky.
"We've got broodmares," Hans said. "I've been messing around with this for about 50 years personally."
Leverett S. Miller bred So Happy in Kentucky, and Glatt bought the colt for $150,000 at the 2025 Ocala Breeders' Sales March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. So Happy had previously sold for $12,000 as a weanling at the 2023 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale and $20,000 as a yearling at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale. So Happy is out of winner So Cunning, a homebred for Leverett and his late wife, Linda.
READ: So Happy So Rewarding for Breeder Miller
Runhappy, who was sold to South Korea last year to continue his stud career, won the 2015 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) and was voted an Eclipse Award that season. His runners include 2023 Hopeful Stakes (G1) winner Nutella Fella.
