LAUREL, MD – Wertheimer and Frere homebred Happy Saver drove past Monday Morning Qb in mid-stretch to win Monday’s $100,000 Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park.
The victory earned Happy Saver an automatic entry into the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico on October 3.
Happy Saver was the 1/5 favorite in the field of six 3-year-olds as he broke from post 4 under Trevor McCarthy and tracked Monday Morning Qb through early fractions of :24.76, :48.82, and 1:13.13.
McCarthy tipped Happy Saver out in the far turn and put him under a drive to go after the leader, collaring him in mid-stretch before drawing clear.
Confidently handled from the 1/16 pole to the wire, the Todd Pletcher trainee crossed 1 1/2 lengths clear while completing the 1 1/8-mile fast dirt route in 1:49.15.
Monday Morning Qb was 9 lengths ahead of Big City Bob. A three-way photo for fourth went to Mexican Wonder Boy by a head and a nose over Amen Corner and Letmeno, respectively, to complete the order of finish.
Plot the Dots was scratched.
Happy Saver’s win kept him unbeaten through 3 career starts, having broken his maiden at Belmont Park in June before defeating allowance rivals at Saratoga a month later. The Super Saver colt has now earned $135,900.
Happy Saver returned $2.40 to win, $2.10 to place, and $2.10 to show. Monday Morning Qb brought back $3 to place and $2.60 to show, while Big City Bob paid $4.60 to show.
