Life Is Good racing to the finishing line
Life Is Good kicked off 2021 in the manner his connections would have hoped for when securing his first group win at his first attempt. Saturday’s USD100,000 Sham Stakes (1600m) was an important litmus test for the boom colt as it saw him tried against proven winners and around two turns for the first time. Both hurdles were overcome as the WinStar Farm and China Horse Club owned performer posted his second win in as many attempts.
“It was his first time around two turns,” champion jockey Mike Smith told Bloodhorse.
“[Life Is Good] got away just a little slow, but he got up and of course he’s naturally so quick, he was just up underneath himself. Just as we were heading for home, he was doing things all by himself so easy out there.
“He didn’t know what he was doing going twice around, and he just got the lead and was looking out at the Infield on the big screen. He could see himself, and he got to looking, but I was watching as well so I saw the horse coming on the outside. I didn’t want to panic, I just showed (the riding crop) to him a little bit.
“What I liked really was after the race, when I stood up and the (other) horse got next to me, he jumped back in the bridle—and I mean, I had to pull him up.”
As expected from a performer so early in his career, Life Is Good is far from the finished article. He was slow out of the gates before finding the lead and was distracted in the home straight. But the colt has undoubted ability and is supported by the same team that guided the raw but immensely talented Justify to U.S. Triple Crown success.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was delighted to see his charge make the requisite progression and secure a race that was won in 2020 by subsequent Kentucky Derby/Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Authentic.
“I could tell that Mike was just cruising out there,” Baffert said.
“I always feel that the second race is most important. You’re going up against winners. I think Mike did a great job, just sort of cruising out there and it was just the kind of race we were looking for. They ran pretty fast…It is so exciting he passed the two-turn test.”
Life Is Good launched the 2021 racing season off on the right note for China Horse Club and its aspirations in the United States. The handsome colt is one of a series of high-profile untapped performers for the Club in the U.S. alongside G1 winning mare Valiance, Nashville and Prime Factor.
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