Trainer Mark Glatt experienced a bittersweet moment at Santa Anita Derby day, as his 3-year-old colt So Happy won the Grade 1 $500,000 race just weeks after the passing of his wife, Dena. So Happy’s victory, a 7-1 upset ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith, secured him fourth place on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard, boosting his chances for the May 2 race at Churchill Downs. Glatt expressed deep emotion and gratitude for the support he received during this difficult time, finding solace in the colt’s success alongside two of his children.
Elsewhere on Derby prep day, major races at Keeneland and Aqueduct produced notable winners Further Ado and Albus, both moving up the Kentucky Derby points standings. In the Santa Anita Oaks, trainer Michael McCarthy’s fillies Meaning and Brooklyn Blonde finished first and second, positioning Meaning as a leading Kentucky Oaks contender. The day also saw tragedy with the euthanization of Cosmic Heat due to a fatal injury, but overall drew a large crowd of 37,562, the biggest for the event since 2018, highlighting the significance and excitement surrounding the final major prep races before the Kentucky Derby.
