The Breeders' Cup showdown is still five weeks away, but on October 1 the battle lines lay in the mud in the damp frosty Aqueduct race track.
After the undefeated airline His final preparation for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on November 5th came with an impressive 19 1/4 lengths in the TVG Pacific Classic (G1) on September 3rd, the $465,000 Woodward Stakes (G1) on Saturday Substantial A represented his main enemy, Life is good with its opportunity to record one final start before moving on Keeneland for the World Cup.
He didn't disappoint, although he gave his Mutuel supporters a scare in the second round, who made him the 1-20 favorite.
In a performance that was about 180 degrees from Flightline's blistering display of speed at Del Mar, CHC and WinStar Farm's $4 million earner Life Is Good cruised to a comfortable 1 1/4-length victory on a humid track over a stubborn man Law professor in a performance that should make him nervous when the match everyone wants to see, Flightline vs. Life Is Good, takes place in next month's 1 1/4-mile classic.
“It was pleasant. We wanted to win, but we didn’t want to put on a show,” said Elliott Walden, CEO, president and racing director of WinStar Farm. “It moves on to the next one. It wasn’t a particularly complex race and it should prepare him for the next race.”
And the next one should be a classic in more ways than one.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Walden said of the duel with Flightline and the other top dirt horses in training, including Lukas Classic (G2), winner Balmy Rod Charlie and the 3 year olds epicenter ,Taiba And Opulent Strike – Most of them will probably run.
The plaque told the story of the Woodward, which was traditionally sailed Belmont Park. Against only three rivals after the scratch Thomas Shelby Life Is Good, a multiple award-winning son of 1st class Into disaster Hall of Fame coach Todd Pletcher started with minimal odds and led throughout.
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. broke away from the railing, where some puddles of water formed on the muddy, sealed track due to 0.74 inches of rain, and quickly broke away with Life Is Good, heading a few ways away.
“He got out of there quick,” Ortiz said. “There wasn't too much speed in the race and there was a lot of water in the first part of the race. It rained a lot. and he stayed there (on a leash) the whole time.
Irad Ortiz Jr. enjoys his journey to the winner's circle aboard Life Is Good
The fractions were comfortable as the four-year-old bred by Gary and Mary West managed splits of :24.40 and :48.60 at 34-1 Informative the closest pursuer.
“Part of his brilliance is that he can go brisk and keep going,” Pletcher said after leader Life Is Good posted his slowest half-mile fraction in 10 U.S. races. The bay colt posted an opening half-mile performance of 46.84 in his previous start and win, the Whitney Stakes (G1). Saratoga Racetrack. “That was the logical tactic for today, but I don't think it's his preferred running style. His real weapon is his high speed and ability to keep going.”
In the final turn, the Twin Creek Racing Stables law professor moved alongside Life Is Good to make things captivating, but at the urging of Ortiz, the bay stallion was able to pull away from the 26-1 shot in the closing stages and open a clear lead of 1:1/2 lengths in the middle distance and stayed in the lead while covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.57.
“On the way to the quarter pole I thought I had a great chance of winning it. But then Life Is Good shifted gears,” said Jose Ortiz, who rode the four-year-old gelding Law Professor.
The $2.10 winner posted a time of:12.33 as he crossed the line in the final round of 16.
Life Is Good heads home at the Woodward
“It doesn’t matter how high the fractions are. He shows himself. He’s an incredible horse,” Walden said.
Pletcher said Life Is Good will travel to Keeneland on Oct. 3 to begin preparations for the Breeders' Cup.
The victory was Life Is Good's ninth of 11 starts and fourth in the first grade, increasing his earnings to $4,361,700.
“He’s a great horse with that massive stride. It’s a lot of fun to be here and see him win a massive race,” said WinStar owner Kenny Troutt. “We’ll see what happens in the Classic. We’re really excited about it.”
Law professor, a self-raised son of Constitution trained by Rob Atras, finished second by 10 1/4 lengths to Cypress Creek Equine, Arnold Bennewith and Spendthrift Farm's Keep me in mind another Pletcher intern. The last of the four runners was informative.
“Constitutions are never taken lightly, and the law professor has run the race of his life. It was a great race from him. Constitutions love the mud, so I thought he would give (Life is Good) a good run,” he told Walden, whose farm is under the Constitution.
The Life Is Good connections accept the trophy for the Woodward Stakes
Life Is Good, originally trained by Bob Baffert before moving to Pletcher last summer, is out Distorted humor mare Beach walk . Purchased for $525,000 from Paramount Sales consignment at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, he is her second foal and first winner. Her three youngest foals include a two-year-old filly Live well from Accuse a yearling Candy ride Colt and a full brother to Life Is Good born this year.
