Pletcher hoping to send Life Is Good, Colonel Liam to Dubai

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Stablemates Life Is Good and Colonel Liam were the two stars here on Pegasus World Cup Day, and they will be given the opportunity for a much bigger payday on the world stage at Meydan in Dubai on March 26. Life Is Good makes his next start in the $12 million Dubai World Cup, and Colonel Liam runs in the $5 million Dubai World Cup Turf, trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed on Monday.

Life Is Good defeated 2021 Horse of the Year Knicks Go in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational, while Colonel Liam successfully defended his title in the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode both horses to victory and will be aboard both once again in Dubai.

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Life Is Good and Colonel Liam are scheduled to fly from South Florida to Dubai on March 14.

“At the moment our plan is to take both horses to Dubai,” Pletcher said from his Palm Beach Downs headquarters, where Life Is Good and Colonel Liam will train. “Our only concern at the moment is that we are monitoring the track condition over there. Watching the prep races, the main track seemed deep and slow, and we’re not sure we’d want to participate with Life Is Good if that continues to be the case.”

Pletcher acknowledged there are pros and cons to sending both horses on the long trip to Dubai.

“Obviously the size of the purses is a major attraction,” said Pletcher. “And there’s not really anything to miss here for Life Is Good other than the Oaklawn Handicap. If all went well coming out of the race, we could still possibly make the Met Mile with him.”

Life Is Good and Colonel Liam each had their first work since the Pegasus World Cup last Friday at Palm Beach Downs and will remain on a Friday work schedule, weather permitting, up until their departure for Dubai.

Pletcher’s laundry list of top 3-year-old prospects and potential Kentucky Derby candidates grew again when Charge It registered an 8 1/2-length maiden win going a mile here Saturday. The Whisper Hill Farm homebred by Tapit earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure Saturday in his second start.

He was defeated a neck after an extended stretch duel in his debut by the more experienced Volcanic, who flattered the effort by finishing third in Saturday’s Grade 3 Sam Davis at Tampa Bay Downs.

Pletcher said Charge It might run in a Kentucky Derby prep race in his next start.

“Impressive horse,” Pletcher said. “Trained really well for his debut, took a tough beat from the rail, drew a better post this time, and took another move forward. I think he ran well enough we could take a look at a prep next time.”