(Photo: Hans Pennink, AP)
Maria Borell, just the sixth trainer to saddle a Breeders' Cup winner, took to Twitter a day after her Runhappy won the $1.5 million Sprint saying Sunday "went from the best day of my life to the worst day of my life."
Borell posted to the social media site that she has been replaced as trainer of the champion 3-year-old, who outlasted Private Zone in the six-furlong race at Keeneland.
Borell said a racing manager for owner Jim McIngvale, the noted Gallery Furniture founder, wanted to send Runhappy out for training this morning even with filling and heat in one of his ankles.
When Borell argued with the manager, former Runhappy trainer Laura Wohlers, she Borell was informed she's "gone," per a tweet.
"My heart is in a million pieces," Borell added.
Runhappy, who came to the 32-year-old trainer's care in April, has been unbeatable since. He crushed fields at Indiana Grand and Ellis Park before roaring to a win in the Grade I King's Bishop at Saratoga, then Keeneland's Grade III Phoenix.
Borell said Saturday she had plans to stretch Runhappy out to a mile for next year's campaign. She also touted not running the son of Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver on medication.
In addition to training four horses, Borell, a New York native, operates a 120-acre farm near Lexington.