Happy Jack has one of the weaker resumes in the presumed 2022 Kentucky Derby field. However, he also has plenty of running experience against the rest of the field. Below, we’ll look at everything you need to know to bet Happy Jack in the upcoming Run for the Roses.
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Happy Jack Kentucky Derby Profile
Record: 1-0-2 (4)
Owner: Calumet Farm
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill
Color: Bay
Kentucky Derby points (standing): 30 (20th)
Running Style: Closer
Last race: Showed in the Santa Anita Derby (G3)
Sire/Dam: Oxbow/Tapitstry
Happy Jack Past Performances
| Date | Race | Length | Beyer Speed Figures | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/7/22 | Kentucky Derby | 1 1/4 miles | 75 | 14th |
| 4/9/22 | Santa Anita Derby (G1) | 1 1/8 miles | 83 | 3rd |
| 3/5/22 | San Felipe (G2) | 1 1/8 miles | 82 | 3rd |
| 2/6/21 | Robert B. Lewis (G3) | 1 1/16 miles | 61 | 5th |
| 1/22/22 | MSW | 6 furlongs | 75 | 1st |
The Word On Happy Jack
May 1: “He’s just a positive, super successful jock,” trainer Doug O’Neill said about the rider he gave a leg up with great success for many years in Southern California. “It has amazed me he hasn’t already won a Kentucky Derby. I would love to be part of that much-deserved victory for him “Rafy [Rafael Bejarano] got to know (Happy Jack) a little bit. ‘Jack’ has a lot of ability and maybe the light bulb hasn’t gone completely on, so I’m hoping it does next Saturday.”
May 3: – Trainer Doug O’Neill: “[The post position] is good. We’re happy. I think that new gate makes it better for the horses inside. We remain optimistic.”
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Betting insight from Dave Bontempo
Distant third to Forbidden Kingdom in the San Felipe. Tried to be a pace presence at 25-1, was outrun, but nonetheless rallied for a distant third and slice of the trifecta. Nothing suggested he could turn the tables in the Santa Anita Derby.
He broke a bit slow in the Santa Anita and was second-to-last on the back stretch after a 46.63 half mile. Closed to finish third, but was still 12 lengths back of Taiba and Messier.
Kentucky Derby Points Standings
Any bets made on the TVG app will see odds shift based on how much is wagered on each horse until the starting gates open.
| Post | Horse | Latest odds (6:30 p.m. ET | Morning Line Odds | Trainer | Jockey | W-P-S (Races) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mo Donegal | 9-1 | 10-1 | Todd Pletcher | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 3-0-2 (5) |
| 2 | Happy Jack | 20-1 | 30-1 | Doug O'Neill | Rafael Bejarano | 0-0-2 (3) |
| 3 | Epicenter | 5-1 | 7-2 | Steve Asmussen | Joel Rosario | 4-1-0 (6) |
| 4 | Summer Is Tomorrow | 33-1 | 30-1 | Bhupat Seemar | Mickael Barzalona | 2-3-0 (7) |
| 5 | Smile Happy | 14-1 | 20-1 | Kenny McPeek | Corey Lanerie | 2-2-0 (4) |
| 6 | Messier (CAN) | 6-1 | 8-1 | Tim Yakteen* | John Velazquez | 3-3-0 (6) |
| 7 | Crown Pride (JPN) | 17-1 | 20-1 | Koichi Shintani | Christophe Lemaire | 3-0-0 (4) |
| 8 | Charge It | 15-1 | 20-1 | Todd Pletcher | Luis Saez | 1-2-0 (3) |
| 9 | Tiz the Bomb | 27-1 | 30-1 | Kenny McPeek | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 5-1-0 (8) |
| 10 | Zandon | 6-1 | 3-1 | Chad Brown | Flavien Prat | 2-1-1 (4) |
| 11 | Pioneer of Medina | 53-1 | 30-1 | Todd Pletcher | Joe Bravo | 2-1-2 (6) |
| 12 | Taiba | 5-1 | 12-1 | Tim Yakteen* | Mike Smith | 2-0-0 (2) |
| 13 | Simplification | 35-1 | 20-1 | Antionio Sano | Jose Ortiz | 3-1-2 (7) |
| 14 | Barber Road | 54-1 | 30-1 | John Ortiz | Rey Gutierrez | 2-4-1 (8) |
| 15 | White Abarrio | 14-1 | 10-1 | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Tyler Gaffalione | 4-0-1 (5) |
| 16 | Cyberknife | 15-1 | 20-1 | Brad Cox | Florent Geroux | 3-2-0 (6) |
| 17 | Classic Causway | 75-1 | 30-1 | Brian Lynch | Julien Leparoux | 3-1-1 (6) |
| 18 | Tawny Port | 74-1 | 30-1 | Brad Cox | Ricardo Santana Jr. | 3-1-0 (5) |
| 19 | Zozos | 43-1 | 20-1 | Brad Cox | Manny Franco | 2-1-0 (3) |
| 21 | Rich Strike | 80-1 | 30-1 | Eric Reed | Sonny Leon | 1-0-3 (7) |
