Piggybunz is Impressive First Winner for Happy Saver

Piggybunz ran like a 4-5 favorite in her debut Aug. 27 at Colonial Downs and became the first winner for Airdrie Stud's freshman sire Happy Saver. The estate of the late Brereton C. Jones, founder of Airdrie, bred Piggybunz out of the winning Creative Cause daughter Cause She's Fast, who is a half sister to 2012 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Believe You Can. Airdrie sold Piggybunz for $50,000 to Bowen Thoroughbreds during the 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and has stayed in as a co-owner. Trainer Brittany Russell had Piggybunz in top form for the gray or roan filly's debut, and jockey Sheldon Russell let her run uninhibited on the lead in sharp opening fractions of :22.10 and :44.97. While the stalkers got within a length of her in the turn, once they rounded into the stretch and Piggybunz changed leads, she drew away to win by 5 1/4 lengths. She ran the 6 furlongs on a fast main track in 1:09.29. Happy Saver raced as a homebred for Wertheimer and Frere with trainer Todd Pletcher. He captured the 2020 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) and was runner-up in four grade 1 races: Jockey Club Gold Cup and Clark Stakes (G1) in 2021 and the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) and Whitney Stakes (G1) in 2022. He retired with a 5-5-1 record from 13 starts and earned $1,258,100. Happy Saver stood this year for $7,500 at Airdrie. The farm is offering a full sister to Piggybunz as Hip 3429 during the upcoming Keeneland September sale.