Life Is Good’s status as the world’s best dirt horse was reaffirmed in imperious fashion as he made his long-awaited return on U.S. soil following his tilt at the USD12 million Dubai World Cup.
The China Horse Club and WinStar Farm owned entire was using Saturday’s USD250,000 Nerud Stakes (1400m) as a stepping stone towards the time honoured USD1,200,000 G1 Whitney Stakes (1800m) on 6th August, a summer championship in its own right and a proven litmus test ahead of the end of season USD6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will see Life Is Good come full circle. The Todd Pletcher trainee announced himself at the 2021 edition when streeting rivals in the USD1 million G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile by almost six lengths. It was a standout performance at an event renowned for creating occasions and stimulating eyepopping results.
Now, eight months on, Life Is Good holds the title as the world’s best dirt horse on the Longines IFHA World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, just a point inferior to the undefeated Baeed across all divisions, and carries a weight of expectation into every contest.
“You don’t take anything for granted,” Hall of Fame trainer Pletcher told media post-race.
“[Life Is Good] made the long trip to Dubai and back. It was his first start off a layoff after doing that, so I’m happy he showed up and ran the way he’s capable of.
“I felt like he was always comfortable even though they were going pretty fast. If you’re [second favourite] Speaker’s Corner, you can’t let him get away the whole way. We anticipated [Speaker’s Corner] would try to put some pressure on us and it was legitimate pressure, 44 and change for the half mile [800m].”
G1 winner Speaker’s Corner was determined before finishing five lengths behind Life Is Good who carried his speed throughout the race and well beyond the line, an outcome that was not unnoticed.
“There was only one outcome that was okay, and that was for him to win,” Pletcher added.
“[Life Is Good] ran against a Grade 1 winner [Speaker’s Corner] and he drew the rail, so you worry about all those things. But he broke sharp, high cruising speed and I love the way he galloped out after the line.”
Life Is Good’s performance was supported by that of stablemate and fellow China Horse Club and WinStar Farm colour bearer, Americanrevolution, who contested the USD750,000 G2 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs (Kentucky) later that day. The athletic chestnut kept fighting behind the talented Olympiad finishing second to him in a time just outside the course record. Olympiad is expected to contest the G1 Whitney Stakes against Life Is Good at his next race, a race that may also include Americanrevolution.
The G1 Whitney Stakes will be held for the 94th running next month. It has staged electrifying duels and hosted greats of the sport and its significance remains as relevant today as at any stage. In the last decade the Saratoga feature has also been a reliable guide to end of season honours in the Breeders’ Cup Classic with last year’s hero Knicks Go (2021) joining Gun Runner (2017) and Fort Larned (2012) as Whitney Stakes winners to have gone on to win the Classic.
In 2020 China Horse Club and WinStar Farm’s Improbable scored in the Whitney Stakes during a run of three successive G1 wins before finishing a game second in the Classic. Anticipation builds to see if either Life Is Good or Americanrevolution can join him on the honour roll of the Whitney Stakes before zeroing in on the Classic.
China Horse Club has participated in the ownership of 10 Breeders’ Cup contenders who have competed at the world championships on 13 occasions. Importantly, seven of the 10 contenders as well as 2022 aspirants Life Is Good and Americanrevolution were sourced and secured as yearlings from major auctions. At the time of writing the Club is upbeat on where it is placed ahead of 2023 and will continue to be active at yearling auctions to best position itself and partners to contest major international events.
The 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be held at Keeneland (Kentucky) on 4-5 November 2022.