Life Is Good works half-mile for Whitney
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Life Is Good, recent winner of the Grade 2 John Nerud Stakes at Belmont, worked a half-mile in 49.49 seconds over Saratoga’s main track Friday as he ramps up preparation for a start in the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Invitational here on Aug. 6.
Last year, when he first got Life Is Good in his barn, trainer Todd Pletcher would train the horse at 5:30 a.m. on the Oklahoma training track. Friday was Life Is Good’s first work on the main track.
“Trying to find as quiet a time as we can which, at Saratoga, on either track, there never really is ever a truly quiet time,” Pletcher said. “He seems to be adapting well to it.”
In his only start at Saratoga, Life Is Good was beaten a neck by Jackie’s Warrior in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens last August. He’s only lost once since, that being a fourth in the Dubai World Cup.
Pletcher said Friday’s move was another typical move for Life Is Good.
“On the bridle every step of the way, strong gallop out, moving efficiently and effortlessly,” he said.
Among Pletcher’s other workers Friday was Annapolis, the Manila Stakes winner, who is pointing to the Grade 1, $1 million Saratoga Derby on Aug. 6. Annapolis, working in company with the impressive debut winner Capensis, went four furlongs in 49.27 seconds over the Oklahoma turf with a monster gallop-out of seven furlongs in 1:25.30. The win in the Manila Stakes came after Annapolis finished second in the Penn Mile, run over a boggy course.
Pletcher said Annapolis might run next in the 1 3/16-mile Saratoga Derby.
“We have two races under his belt now,” Pletcher said. “I think we’re going to try to step up in distance. The way he trained this morning and galloped out gives me optimism he’ll handle it.”