Life Is Good takes San Felipe S. (G2) to top a stakes triple for Into Mischief

Life Is Good and jockey Mike Smith win the Grade II, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes, Saturday, March 6, 2021 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia CA.
© BENOIT PHOTO

Into Mischief had arguably his best day of 2021 Saturday when the champion sire accounted for three stakes winners, topped by Life Is Good, who turned the $300,000 San Felipe S. (G2) into a one-horse race with a powerful stretch.

Life Is Good, who the Sham S. (G3) in his previous start, and now is 3-for-3 with earnings of $274,200 for WinStar Farm LLC and CHC Inc.

Life Is Good, in post 1 in the seven-horse field, took command immediately and was up by three lengths after a half-mile in :46.83. Though he drifted well out into the center of the track coming into the stretch, he was in full control while under a hand ride from Mike Smith the rest of the way. The final time for the 1 1/16-miles was 1:42.18 on a fast track.

“I always thought he could be a super horse, we’ll find out today’, but at the quarter pole I could tell he was just still cruising, just doing it easy,” said trainer Bob Baffert of the winner. “I just feel fortunate that I have this horse in my barn. It’s nice to come out (to Santa Anita), it feels a little festive today watching these good horses run.”

Life Is Good earned 50 points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby Challenge, giving him a total of 60, virtually assuring himself a starting spot for the May 1 Run for the Roses.

The winner was bred in Kentucky by Gary and Mary West and sold to his owners for $525,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling sale.

With Saturday’s results, Into Mischief now has 12 stakes winners, five of them graded, in 2021. In last year’s championship season, he accounted for 29 stakes winners for the entire year.