Life Is Good Cruises To Victory in Kelso

[Wandering Eyes]

'TDN Rising Star' LIFE IS GOOD (c, 3, Into Mischief–Beach Walk, by Distorted Humor) got an easy prep for his expected appearance in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in Saturday's GII Kelso H. at Belmont Park, scoring virtually untouched by an eased-down six lengths. Off at 1-20 with $212,404 of the $251,965 win pool and $353,424 of the $389,409 place pool on his nose, the $525,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase easily outfooted distant second choice Chance It (Currency Swap) and led through an opening quarter in a manageable :23.53. Currency Swap was pulled up and out of the race with about 5 1/2 furlongs to travel, leaving Fort Peck (Fort Larned) to do the chasing and the half-mile was up in :46.58. Still traveling well within the grasp of Irad Ortiz, Jr. as they neared the quarter pole, Life Is Good received a few cracks of an underhanded crop on his right shoulder in upper stretch and was taken in hand for the better part of the final sixteenth of a mile, stopping the clock in a strong 1:34.37 without truly being asked for a top effort. He returned $2.10 to win and place. Life Is Good won his first three trips to the post, including an eight-length romp in the GII San Felipe S., but missed the Classics and most recently finished runner-up to Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. at Saratoga Aug. 28. Lifetime Record: 5-4-1-0. O-WinStar Farm & CHC Inc; B-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc (KY); T-Todd Pletcher.

The post Life Is Good Cruises To Victory in Kelso appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article