WinStar Farm and CHC Inc’s Life Is Good kept his record intact with a victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Sham S. (G3) at Santa Anita Park.
The 3-year-old colt was making his stakes and two-turn debut after a dominating Nov. 22 maiden win at first asking at Del Mar.
As he did in the maiden win, Life Is Good was intent on getting the lead early and did so despite going very wide into the first turn. He was up three lengths after a half-mile and increased the margin to four at the top of the stretch. Ridden without urging by Mike Smith, stablemate Medina Spirit closed ground late, but could get no closer than three-quarters of a length at the wire.
The final time was 1:36.63 on a fast main track.
“Medina is a nice horse, he’s a good horse and I could tell that Mike (Smith) was just cruising out there,” said trainer Bob Baffert, who trains the top two finishers. “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.”
Saturday’s win earned Life Is Good 10 qualifying points toward the 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Baffert said the next start is to be determined for the 3-year-old colt, who has now earned $94,200 in his two victories.
