Ankle problem prompts retirement of Living The Life
ARCADIA, Calif. – Living The Life, who would have been one of the longer shots in her final start Nov. 5 in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, has been retired after exiting her latest workout with slight filling in her right front ankle.
Trainer Gary Mandella said the development is frustrating for himself and owner Hank Nothhaft “because we were just now figuring out how to make her run well on the dirt.” Nine of Living The Life’s 10 victories came on a synthetic surface.
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“But she retires a multiple graded stakes winner and a millionaire, so overall we’re very happy with her,” Mandella said.
In her final start Sept. 19, Living The Life was beaten a head in the Presque Isle Downs Masters, a race she won in 2014 and 2015. A 6-year-old Irish-bred mare by Footstepsinthesand, she finishes with earnings of $1,028,394 from 35 starts. In the United States, she went 5 for 16 after starting her career in England.
The defection of Living The Life ensures a spot for the first alternate, Enchanting Lady, in the seven-furlong Filly and Mare Sprint, which drew 17 pre-entries. The next alternate, Gomo, also will run, assuming Curalina is entered in her Breeders’ Cup race of first preference, the Distaff. Wonder Gal is the final alternate.