The Good Life An Early Kentucky Derby Contender

The Good Life flew to the finish in the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga

NYRA Janet Napolitano

The Kentucky Derby is over seven months away, but as his been established, it is never too early to start dreaming of the first Saturday in May. With a resounding victory in the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, the blossoming two-year-old colt named The Good Life placed himself in the fast lane on the road that leads to Churchill Downs next Spring.

The Good Life Flexes Muscle in Saratoga Win

The Hopeful Stakes at the end of the Saratoga meet has been a launching pad for talented two-year-olds since 1903. The names that decorate the winner’s list offers many that have went on to brilliant careers on the track, however the last Hopeful winner to capture the Kentucky Derby was Affirmed back in 1977 and of course he was a Triple Crown winner. This year’s edition featured seven runners eager to prove their worth in one of the early races of importance on the Juvenile racing calendar.

Breaking alertly under jockey Manny Franco, The Good Life immediately assumed the lead from his inside post. Throwing down solid early fractions (22.71 opening quarter, 45.40 half mile) for this seven-furlong affair, the son of Life Is Good rolled to the top of the stretch with ease and 3 ½ lengths clear of his pursuers. When the real running started down the lane, this Brad Cox trained colt continued to show them all a clean pair of heels. Never threatened, it was all about living The Good Life as he crossed the wire a widening 4 lengths to the good.

“He looks to be a very nice young horse with a big future”, says Brad Cox, who has won over 2500 races. “Being the son of an excellent race horse (Life Is Good) that is a promising young sire that could impact the breed for years to come is also very exciting.”

The Good Life completed the seven furlongs in 1:24.08 and is now unbeaten in two career starts. He won on debut by 3 ½ going six furlongs. Owned by Winstar Farms LLC., First Go Racing and CHC Inc., his career earnings stand at $228,250. His next start is to be determined.