Life Is Good takes step down Derby path with Sham triumph

ARCADIA, Calif. – It’s early, way too early, but so far Life Is Good is emulating last year’s Kentucky Derby winner, Authentic.

Sprint debut win vs. maidens at Del Mar in November? Check.

Front-running victory in the Grade 3 Sham at Santa Anita the first Saturday in January? Check.

There are still many miles to travel, and the distances and competition will get more demanding, but on Saturday at Santa Anita Life Is Good did what he needed to do, capturing the $100,000 Sham in his second start while making his first start against winners and around two turns.

Like Authentic, Life Is Good is a colt by Into Mischief who is trained by Bob Baffert. And like Authentic, he has natural speed that is a weapon.

Life Is Good, starting from the outside post in a field of five, wasn’t away sharply but his speed carried him to the front by the time he reached the first turn of the one-mile race, and he was able to clear off, rolling to a daylight advantage, with stablemate Medina Spirit in closest pursuit.

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Over a fast but dull track, Life Is Good ran the opening quarter in 23.56 seconds, then rolled through the second quarter in 23.11 seconds for a half-mile split of 46.67 seconds. He was four lengths in front a quarter-mile out after six furlongs in 1:10.66, and then jockey Mike Smith sat on him like it was a morning work.

Then it got a bit interesting. Medina Spirit began to close the gap, and an audible gasp went up from the few owners, trainers, and grooms scattered about the stands. Smith flashed the whip in front of Life Is Good’s right eye, and he went about his business to hold safe Medina Spirit, with the final margin three-quarters of a length.

“I could tell Mike was cruising,” Baffert said. “He reminded me of Authentic last year, looking around like a drunk coming home.”

It was another 13 lengths back to third-place Parnelli, and six more to Waspirant. Uncle Boogie trailed throughout.

Life Is Good completed one mile in 1:36.63. He galloped out alongside Medina Spirit, still well in front of the other three entrants.

“I always feel like the second race is the most important, up against winners,” Baffert said. “That was the kind of race we were looking for. He passed the two-turn test.

“We got a good race into him. He’s still green.”

Life Is Good is “extremely, extremely fast,” Baffert said. The question, which Authentic answered resoundingly last year, is whether he can carry that speed.

The win was worth 10 points for Life Is Good on the system used by Churchill Downs to determine the field for the Kentucky Derby on May 1. Authentic won the race last year, when it was run in September, giving Baffert a record-tying sixth victory in the Derby.

Life Is Good will be given every chance to continue down the same path as Authentic.

“He’s very, very talented,” Smith said.

Smith rode Life Is Good in his only prior start, a debut maiden win at Del Mar going 6 1/2 furlongs that he won by 9 1/2 lengths while earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 91. Off that race, Life Is Good was heavily favored Saturday. He paid $2.40.

Life Is Good, bred by Gary and Mary West, was purchased as a yearling for $525,000. He is owned by CHC Inc. – the new, abbreviated listing for China Horse Club – and WinStar Farm.