WinStar Farm and CHC Inc.’s Life Is Good powerfully ran away from his rivals to win the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) by 5 ¾ lengths at Del Mar on Nov. 6.
Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Life Is Good took command away from the gate and immediately drew clear going into the first turn. He maintained a clear advantage until Ginobili ranged up to his outside heading into the far turn. Life Is Good had plenty left, however, shrugging off the brief challenge and powering through the lane to win as he pleased. He stopped the clock in 1:34.12 in the scintillating performance.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, the 3-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Into Mischief is out of the Distorted Humor mare Beach Walk. The $525,000 Keeneland September Sale graduate was bred in the Bluegrass by Gary and Mary West Stable Inc. The $520,000 winner’s share of the purse increased Life Is Good’s lifetime earnings to $1,059,200.
“We were hoping for that, expecting that based on the way that he’s been training, but it’s always great to see it actually happen,” said Todd Pletcher. “He took it to them. Just too much horse.”
Ortiz said, “I had a perfect trip. He broke out of there running (and) he relaxed for me. I wasn’t worried about those other runners early in the race because I knew he was so fast. When we got to the quarter-pole, he re-broke for me. What a nice horse to ride.”
In addition to his Breeders’ Cup triumph, Life Is Good has also won the Kelso Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park, the San Felipe Stakes (G2), and the Sham Stakes (G3), both at Santa Anita.