Life Is Good turned Saturday’s $300,000 San Felipe S. (G2) into a one-horse race with a powerful stretch run and established himself as the early favorite for this year’s Kentucky Derby (G1).
Life Is Good, an undefeated son of Into Mischief who the Sham S. (G3) in his previous start, and now is 3-for-3 with earnings of $274,200 for WinStar Farm LLC and CHC Inc.
Life Is Good, in post 1 in the seven-horse field, took command immediately and was up by three lengths after a half-mile in :46.83. Though he drifted well out into the center of the track coming into the stretch, he was in full control while under a hand ride from Mike Smith the rest of the way. The final time for the 1 1/16-miles was 1:42.18 on a fast track.
“I always thought he could be a super horse, we’ll find out today’, but at the quarter pole I could tell he was just still cruising, just doing it easy,” said Bob Baffert of the winner. “I just feel fortunate that I have this horse in my barn. My horse that ran second (Medina Spirit), he’s a really nice horse and I felt bad I had to run him against him, but they need these races and I didn’t want to ship yet. It’s nice to come out here, it feels a little festive today watching these good horses run.”
Life Is Good earned 50 points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby Challenge, giving him a total of 60, virtually assuring himself a starting spot for the May 1 Run for the Roses.
