R.I.P. Happy Ticket..
 

:( She was a neat mare.

And it took over five weeks for that news to come to the public why?

:( Yeah, exactly. I was a big fan.

I absolutely LOVED her... :( :( :(

So sorry for her owner. Wasn't it Round Pond that she hooked up with in the Azeri at Oaklawn Park for the full 1 1/16 like a match race? [YES] Her loss in the Apple Blossom to Spun Sugar was the one where the kid let the balloon go and it floated across the track as the horses were heading down the stretch...

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/bre...cket-dead.aspx

Very sad news. :(

I was a fan.....

Poor girl.

A Louisiana legend, I am very sorry to hear this news. Im sure Travis could attest to her popularity there at LAD.:(

You and I both Phil. I loved that girl.

I adored Happy Ticket and got to spend a bit of time around her when Leggio was in Barn 60 for the BC at Belmont in '05.

This is a very sad piece of news.

:( :(

Oh no just tremendously sad, I too just loved everything about Happy Ticket right down to her name. Her campaign was just so much fun to watch, especially being a home state gal.

(For those that don't know the story S. Madison named her for his friend that would buy bet vouchers and hand them out at the race track giving people a hopefully "Happy Ticket". That's what they called them. I remember them doing that.)

S. Madison has so enjoyed handing out the Happy Ticket Stakes trophy at the FG, won't be the same this upcoming year.
Sad for her connections, for her and for the LA bred legacy.
R.I.P. sweet Happy Ticket....:( :(

following her win in the Fleur De Lis in '06...

On the track at Churchill prior to the '06 Distaff...

My heart is crushed. My husband and I went to LaD for Louisiana Champions Day specifically to see Ticket. I was able to get some nice pictures of her, many of which I had blown up and are hanging in my living room.
She always showed up to run and her throwdown efforts are what I will always remember about her. Gone way too soon, pretty girl.

:( She was so classy, I will never forget that duel at Oaklawn with Round Pond a great race! Very sad passing, gone too young.

Was able to bring Andy Leggio on just now to finish the show... I'm just counting up all the times I saw her in person as I look at her PP's. She never let you down. Didn't win as many as you wanted when you bet her or rooted for her, but she almost never failed to fire.

Here's a neat little video on Happy Ticket, the "Belle of the Bayou"......enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFk1n0s_Dfs

:(

I remember so clearly when she came to Chicago for the Chicago Breeders' Cup Handicap...in her first trip outside of LA-bred company. Couldn't have had any idea what kind of runner she'd go on to be, but I remember quite well thinking she was a really special gal at that point, even if it was against state-breds.

And of course, as things would happen, she didn't feel ready to lose up here either.

Very glad to have been able to see her in person.

She was a pleasure to watch and keep track of. I was taken back to read she had died. :(

R.I.P Happy Ticket

so sad to hear this-her owner and those close to her must be crushed.

One of our undercard races on Super Derby day is the Happy Ticket for 2-year-old fillies. She's extremely well known. In the few years I've been here, we've given out two posters on her.

The photo of her first foal was exceptional... by Distorted Humor. Let's hope it's a runner!

Whats his/her name?

Unnamed according the the Breeders' Cup Noms.

Hoff, thanks...

How sad this neat mare that always showed up with her best, and was such a personality was with us for such a short time ...

It seems unfair to lose any of them prematurely, but when the one lost is not only genuine and lovely on the track, but a real pet at home, it makes it a little bit more so .

There was no need for an arrow in the Belle of Louisiana video to point her out---her big blaze and pink nose were very distinctive ...

She is now even more memorable, sadly ...

I might admire the talent of a lot of horses without growing fond of them personally, but with Happy Ticket I always looked forward to her races with warmth. You could always count on her and she was a stunning lady. Can't miss that face. This was way too soon. RIP.

I remember a couple of years ago on here someone posting pics of her maiden breeding session with Distorted Humor.

She'll be selling in September at the Keeneland sale. Steward Madison still owns the Distorted Humor yearling and the Empire Maker foal.

Here is a photo of her yearling colt: