In the $400,000 Frizette, My Happy Face had the unenviable task of taking on 1-9 favorite Dreaming of Julia. The Eisaman trainee, who originally sold for $35,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale, has proven to be quite a bargain with her performances on the racetrack.

The Frizette field reduced to four when Carameaway was withdrawn early and Roeving Patrol and Sweet Shirley Mae were scratched at the gate, leaving Dreaming of Julia and My Happy Face the two principal players.

With fast early fractions of 23.22 and 46.19, the pair was some ten lengths clear of the two trailers. My Happy Face was pinned on the inside of her foe, and as they turned into the homestretch, Dreaming of Julia appeared poised to pull away. But My Happy Face came right back, and in very tight quarters battled furiously. The duo exchanged head bobs to the wire, with the big favorite barely hanging on. It was 10 3/4-lengths back to the third-place finisher.

Afterward, even the winning connections showed great admiration for My Happy Face.

“We knew that the filly that finished second (My Happy Face) was very talented,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “You’re talking about two fillies that have won their last couple of races by a long way. They were running into a headwind down the backside and it was pretty fast fractions. With the track starting to dry out a little bit and with the long wait (at the starting gate), it was demanding.”

Pletcher was referring to My Happy Face's unforgettable maiden debut at Saratoga, when she won by 21 1/4-lengths.

My Happy Face is owned by Michael Dubb and trained by Rudy Rodriguez. She was bred in partnership by Spendthrift Farm and Shawan Place and is the second foal out of the stakes-winning mare Summer Star.