So Happy's Rise: From 38-1 Longshot to Kentucky Derby Co-Favorite

Key facts

• So Happy was a 38-1 longshot in his racing debut on Nov. 22, 2025, at Del Mar.
• The 3-year-old colt is now co-favorite at 5-1 for the 152nd Kentucky Derby.
• Trainer Mark Glatt is competing in his first Kentucky Derby after 30 years.
• Glatt's wife Dena died of heart failure in February 2025 at age 57.
• Jockey Mike Smith, 60, won the Triple Crown with Justify in 2018 and seeks his third Derby win.
• So Happy clinched his Derby spot with a victory in the Santa Anita Derby in April 2026.
• The horse sold for $20,000 as a yearling and later for $150,000 to Glatt's clients.

The Unlikely Favorite

So Happy, a 3-year-old bay colt, has defied expectations to become the co-favorite for the 152nd Kentucky Derby, with odds of 5-1 alongside Commandment. Just a week ago, shortly after arriving at Churchill Downs from California, his early odds were 15-1. The horse that went off as a 38-1 longshot in his racing debut now stands as a top contender in the Run for the Roses.

Morning Lethargy, Race-Day Fire

So Happy's ascent is rooted in a peculiar trait: he is unimpressive during morning workouts, a fact that bettors have access to. Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith explained, 'He’s never been a horse that's flashy in the morning. He just seems to do what he has to do.' In his debut on Nov. 22, 2025, at Del Mar, So Happy was sent off at 38-1 partly due to lackluster workout times. Smith recalled, 'When I told him to go, man, he went. And I couldn't believe that because he's so laid back in the morning.'

A Trainer's Personal Triumph

Mark Glatt, 53, an accomplished California trainer, is competing in his first Kentucky Derby after 30 years in the sport. His path to the Derby was marked by personal tragedy: his wife Dena died suddenly of heart failure in February 2025 at age 57. Glatt now wears a bracelet containing some of her ashes. 'She was right by my side, and a big part of what I do professionally, as well as being my life partner,' he said in an interview. After winning the Santa Anita Derby, he fought back tears, saying, 'It was bittersweet because she wasn’t here to share my biggest career win.'

A Jockey's Call to a Lost Partner

Jockey Mike Smith, 60, who won the Triple Crown with Justify in 2018, believes Dena Glatt's spirit guided them at Santa Anita. 'I called on Dena at the eighth pole. I said, “Oh, pick us up, man. Pick us up and get us home.” And he just took off, man,' Smith recounted. So Happy won the Santa Anita Derby by 3/4 of a length, securing his spot in the Kentucky Derby. Smith, seeking his third Derby win, echoed the sentiment that Dena remains present.

From $20,000 Yearling to Derby Favorite

So Happy's pedigree and sales history add to his underdog story. His sire, Runhappy, underperformed as a stallion, and So Happy sold for just $20,000 as a yearling. Glatt later bought him for $150,000 and sold him to clients Ana and Hans Maron, with Norman Stables also acquiring a share. The colt's racing debut at Del Mar saw him beat Vivo by 10 lengths in a workout, then win the race by 3/4 of a length. Smith noted, 'He kind of likes his company. He doesn't blow him away or open up on his company, even though he can.'

Stakes and Sentiment at Churchill Downs

Glatt is not content merely to participate. 'We’re here to not just participate. We’re here to hopefully get the job done,' he told reporters. He added that Dena will be watching during the race. The Kentucky Derby, set for May 2, 2026, will see So Happy attempt to convert his improbable rise into a victory, carrying the hopes of a trainer who has turned personal loss into a driving force. 'I think she’d be very proud of an accomplishment like this. We’re still together, you know, even if it’s just in spirit,' Glatt said.

The bottom line

• So Happy, a 38-1 longshot in his debut, is now co-favorite at 5-1 for the Kentucky Derby.
• Trainer Mark Glatt, competing in his first Derby, lost his wife Dena to heart failure in February 2025.
• Jockey Mike Smith, a Hall of Famer, called on Dena's spirit during the Santa Anita Derby win.
• So Happy's morning workouts are deliberately unimpressive, masking his race-day ability.
• The horse's sire Runhappy underperformed as a stallion, and So Happy sold for $20,000 as a yearling.
• Glatt wears a bracelet with his wife's ashes and believes she remains with him in spirit.