Laughandbehappy dug in late when called on to do so by driver John Campbell en route to winning a real nail biter in Thursday’s $60,000 final of the Night Styles Series
at the Meadowlands.
The Tony Alagna-trained four-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover-Zinful was on the lead for the majority of the mile, and she showed lots of toughness to register the nose decision over Odds On Moinet, who was denied the Night Styles Series sweep.
Laughandbehappy used a :29-second final quarter to hold off the late rush from Odds On Moinet, who along with a pair of stablemates, was sent off as the 1-2 favourite. Midwestern Jatelo rounded out the top three finishers.
"I thought she was going into the final in good shape," said John Campbell. "I just wanted to be up close to the front. She's not that quick, so you have to be forwardly placed with her turning for home. I didn't let Brian clear [Sears and Mid-Western Jatelo] because I was pretty sure my mare would keep on going. I was a little concerned with George [Brennan and Odds On Moinet] sitting on my back because I wasn't sure how that was going to play out. She's got a good attitude, never gives up at all, but the wire came up just in time."
The victory was the fourth of the season in just six trips postward for Laughandbehappy, who is owned by Let It Ride Stables Inc, Robert Cooper Stables LLC and Jerry Silva. The 16-time winner bumped her 2010 earnings to $74,280 with the win, while her lifetime total climbed to $95,979.
(With quotes from the Meadowlands)
To view Thursday’s results, click here.