Smith, Life Is Good send Baffert's old saddle out a winner

DEL MAR, Calif. – Mike Smith rode Life Is Good to his debut victory on Sunday with an old, small sheepskin-covered saddle owned by trainer Bob Baffert, who said it was the saddle he used during his brief stint as a jockey in Arizona 50 years ago.

The saddle was recently found by Baffert’s brother Bill, who was clearing out the family’s old home on a ranch near Nogales in advance of selling it following the passing of their parents in the past decade.

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“I showed it to Mike and he said, ‘I want to use it in a race,’ ” Baffert said. “My father had it made for me. I couldn’t believe Bill found it. I thought it was gone.”

Both Baffert and Smith said the saddle would be retired, exiting a winner.

Last year Authentic – like Life Is Good by Into Mischief – won his first start in November at Del Mar. Baffert waited until Santa Anita’s main winter meeting for Authentic’s second start and could utilize the same approach with Life Is Good, who won by 9 1/2 lengths and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 90.

“He ran fast,” Baffert said. “I’ll give him some time before he runs again.”