Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Life Is Good

Mar 08, 2021 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

China Horse Club and WinStar Farm’s Life is Good earned 50 points on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby”challenge series following his fantastic eight-length victory in the $301,000 San Felipe S. (G2)  at Santa Anita on March 6. The winner completed the 1 1/16-mile dirt test in a brisk 1:42.18 to notch his second stakes triumph under jockey Mike Smith. He is now tied atop the leaderboard with 60 qualifying points.

His pilot noted after the dominant win, “He’s learning to settle. He’s maturing and getting smarter. Early on, he was so used to exploding from the pole or the gate. He’s learning how to run now which is the big key, and he’s learning how to get into a rhythm.”

Life is Good debuted at Del Mar on Nov. 22 in a 6 1/2-furlong event and led at every call en route to a smashing 9 1/2-length romp. In his second assignment, the sensational sophomore took command early and never looked back in securing a measured score in the Sham S. (G3) at Santa Anita. Following his San Felipe tally, he upped his career mark to 3-3-0-0, $274,200.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Life is Good was bred in the Bluegrass State by Gary and Mary West and was purchased by his current connections for $525,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is the first stakes winner produced from the Distorted Humor mare Beach Walk. The three-year-old hails from the same female line as two-time Grade 1 heroine Diamondrella.

The son of Into Mischief has yet to be headed from a trio of career starts, and the colt has posted fine Brisnet Speed figures of 100, 98, and 103 to date. Life is Good has a world of raw ability, as well as a solid female line to aid his chances of handling a classic distance later in the season. He hails from expert connections and continues to be a leading contender on the Triple Crown Trail in 2021.

As his conditioner stated following the San Felipe, “I always thought he would be a super horse.” And at this stage of his development, the ultra-talented colt is looking like just that.

Life is Good will target the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 3, which offers 170 Kentucky Derby qualifying points (100-40-20-10).