Multiple 1st grade winners Life is good didn’t exit his racing career on November 6 as hoped, but the leader’s 4-year-old son Into Mischief still receives a hero’s welcome at WinStar Farm, where he will begin his student career next year.
The pony co-owned by WinStar and the China Horse Club led the first six rounds of the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on November 5 at Keeneland but can’t resist the challenge of undefeated heavy favorite Flight route who won 8 1/4 lengths in 2:00.05, the second-fastest 10-time stretch at Keeneland since 1991, according to Equibase.
Life Is Good entered the Breeders ‘Cup World Championship having won 4 tier 1 slots, including the 2021 Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), in which he went directly by 5 3/4 length. In his first appearance this year, he beat Horse of the Year 2021 and winner Breeders’ Cup Classic Knicks Go during the Pegasus World Cup Attractive bets presented by 1 / ST BET (G1). He will add Whitney Stakes (G1) and Woodward Stakes (G1) wins to his resume.
So when it came time to decide where he was in this year’s Breeders’ Cup, the ties gave him a chance in the World Championship qualifying event.
Coach Todd Pletcher said: “The unique thing about Life Is Good is that we were able to put him in one of three different races on the Breeders’ Cup card. “He may be the favorite in the Sprint or the Dirt Mile, but he won the Dirt Mile and we feel he deserves a shot in the Classics and has a chance at the horse championship. older and possibly Horse of the Year We encountered a tough enemy and he was strong and fast. He gave us a great effort What I heard from all of you. His fan is that he had the courage to go.”
The Good Life and Todd Pletcher at WinStar Farm
According to Equibase, Life Is Good completed early segments as impressive as Flightline’s last. His opening quarter was: 22.55, half a mile in: 45.47 and six races in 1:09.62 was the fastest of 51 laps at 10 races at Keeneland since 1991.
“It’s an absolute one-mile run,” said Elliott Walden, president, chief executive officer and racing director of WinStar. “To be ahead in 80% of the race, it’s been an extraordinary effort. All credit to Flightline, the extraordinary horse. Life Is Good is a horse of such raw speed and talent, We don’t regret running in the classic.”
Life Is Good will enter the stud for an advertising fee of $100,000.
Bred by Gary and Mary West, Life Is Good is off the Beach Walk of his daughter Humorous Distortion, who didn’t win the 1st place stake award Bonnie Blue Flag . Bonnie Blue Flag’s half-siblings include many level 1 winners Diamondrella and the winner of the bet placed in grade 3 Highest title .
Walden said Life Is Good’s structure would make him suitable for a wide range of mares.
The good life at WinStar farm
“When you have a stallion in the middle of the bell curve, they can take the mare on both sides,” he said. “He’s extremely well proportioned to great proportions. He’s got a great neck and shoulders, great body length and hips and strong through his feathers. We’ve been very critical of the mares. his and the quality so far has been outstanding. He will make every pony better with its balance.”
