So Happy shows nice potential at Santa Anita

It’s been anything but a happy year for trainer Mark Glatt, whose wife of 25 years, Dena, died Feb. 12 from cardiac arrest at 57.

- By Jay PosNER

But Glatt could at least gain a moment of joy on a warm Saturday afternoon in Arcadia when his 3-year-old colt, the heretofore ironically named So Happy, pulled off an upset victory in the Grade 1 $500,000 Santa Anita Derby.

“It’s pretty hard to describe,” an emotional Glatt said in the winner's circle. “We have had an overwhelming amount of support, and it’s helped us get through this very, very tough time. She got that horse there today.”

The win pushed So Happy into fourth place on the Kentucky Derby points list with 15. The top 17 North American points leaders will be eligible to start in the May 2 race at Churchill Downs. Runner-up Potente, trained by Bob Baffert, moved into the top 10 with 100.

A 7-1 longshot ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith, So Happy won by 2½ lengths and paid $16.60 after his first win around two turns and third win overall in four career starts.

The final time of 1:49.01 for 1¼ miles might not answer questions about possible distance limitations for the son of Runhappy, who was a champion sprinter, but that’s to worry about another day.

Glatt was just happy to be able to celebrate the win with two of the couple's three children.