HOT SPRINGS, Ark. –Trainer Robertino Diodoro found himself at a crossroads in his early 20s. He could make the final push needed for a career in hockey after being a goalie since the age of 6 or he could turn to the other sport he grew up in, horse racing.

Diodoro at that point had dedicated most of his life to both, making the year-round commitments hockey requires of athletes one step from the pros, while working alongside his family at the tracks on the circuit in his native Alberta, Canada.

Grade 3, $301,000 Gotham Stakes, one mile, Aqueduct, March 6, 2021
(50 Derby qualifying points for first, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)
Winner: Weyburn, by Pioneerof the Nile
Trainer: Jimmy Jerkens
Jockey: Trevor McCarthy
Owner: Chiefswood Stables
Beyer Speed Figure: 95

Encouraged by the way Life Is Good dominated his latest prep with a 107 Beyer Speed Figure, bettors pounded the colt down to 2-1 favoritism in Pool 4 of the 2021 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which closed Sunday evening following a customary three-day wagering window.

Life Is Good stayed unbeaten in three career starts with an eight-length romp Saturday in the San Felipe at Santa Anita. The Bob Baffert-trained colt became a decisive Pool 4 favorite on the strength of that triumph, with Essential Quality closing as the second choice at 5-1 and Greatest Honour next at 6-1.

ARCADIA, Calif. - A day after Life Is Good recorded a commanding win in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert reflected on the colt’s ability three races into his career.

“He’s very green,” Baffert said. “What we witnessed yesterday was raw, green talent. He’s shown us that from day one.”

Life Is Good led throughout the $301,000 San Felipe Stakes, was never challenged by his six rivals, and pulled clear to win by eight lengths despite drifting out noticeably through the stretch under jockey Mike Smith.

Grade 2, $301,000 San Felipe Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Santa Anita, March 6, 2021
(50 Derby qualifying points for first, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)

Winner: Life Is Good, by Into Mischief
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Owner: CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 107

Trainer Brad Cox confirmed Sunday what was widely expected – that champion Essential Quality would have his final Kentucky Derby prep and second start of his 3-year-old season on April 3 at Keeneland in the Blue Grass Stakes.

ARCADIA, Calif. – All the work in recent weeks to get Life Is Good to ration his speed paid off handsomely in the San Felipe Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita, as the brilliant 3-year-old colt showed why there has been so much fuss about him out here, with a romping, eight-length victory that left no doubt he’s the King of California.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Trainer Mark Casse said Helium emerged in good order from his 15-1 victory Saturday in the Tampa Bay Derby and that the Ironicus colt is unlikely to race again prior to the May 1 Kentucky Derby.

Helium, making his first start in nearly five months and just his third overall, fended off a sustained run from Hidden Stash in remaining unbeaten for DJ Stable and Casse in the annual Tampa signature event.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - As the seasons are about to change, so too, apparently, are the fortunes of the 3-year-old colt Weyburn.

Forced to miss two starts earlier in the year due to illness and injury, Weyburn made the most of his first opportunity to run in three months by outfinishing Crowded Trade to win Saturday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes by a nose at Aqueduct. It was 1 3/4 lengths back to Highly Motivated, the 4-5 favorite, in third.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – In midstretch of the 41st Tampa Bay Derby, it sure looked like Hidden Stash had Helium measured.

“I thought we were going to win it,” Vicki Oliver, the trainer of Hidden Stash, said afterward.

But it wasn’t to be, as Helium remained unbeaten in three career starts with a 15-1 upset of the annual marquee event at Tampa Bay Downs by battling back to win the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby and clinch a berth in the 147th Kentucky Derby. The winner paid $32.80 after finishing 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.55 over a fast track.