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Undefeated 3-Year-Old Life Is Good, Now In Pletcher’s Barn, Expected To Return In Jerkens

Undefeated sophomore colt Life Is Good, formerly in the barn of embattled trainer Bob Baffert but now conditioned by Todd Pletcher, is expected to make his return to the races in the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 28, reports the Daily Racing Form.

The son of Into Mischief has not raced since March due to injury, when he was sent to his co-owner WinStar Farm to recover. WinStar trainer Destin Heath had the colt in training at Keeneland until mid-July, when he was shipped up to Pletcher' barn in New York. Life Is Good has now breezed twice at Saratoga since his arrival. WinStar's Elliott Walden indicated that the Jerkens will be used a step toward a return to two-turn races later in the year.

Also pointed to the Jerkens are Jackie's Warrior, last weekend's runaway winner of the G2 Amsterdam for trainer Steve Asmussen, as well as Pletcher trainee Following Sea, elevated to second last out in the G1 Haskell.

“That's our current target,” Pletcher told DRF of Life is Good and the Jerkens. “See how the horse continues to train, but you're not going to find any easy spots to come back in, I wouldn't think.”

Baffert-Trained Illumination Headed To Saratoga For Test

Trainer Bob Baffert plans to send maiden winner Illumination to Saratoga for this Saturday's Grade 1 Test Stakes, reports the Daily Racing Form. It will be his first starter in New York since a judge overturned the New York Racing Association's ban of Bob Baffert on July 14.

NYRA notified Baffert ahead of the Belmont Stakes that it was suspending his ability to enter horses in races or have stall space at its racetracks due to his recent history of medication violations (five over a one-year period), the conflicting statements he provided to media around the Medina Spirit scandal, and Churchill Downs' suspension of the trainer.

Judge Carol Bagley Amon of the Eastern District of New York determined that NYRA's suspension of Baffert should not have taken place without some sort of hearing allowing him to address the organization's accusations against him. Although NYRA was asserting its private property rights in the case, Amon said the organization is closely entwined enough with the state that its suspension of Baffert constituted a state action, thereby requiring due process.

The Test Stakes will be held over the main track at seven furlongs and restricted to sophomore fillies. Baffert won the Test last year with Gamine, who is expected to ship to Saratoga for the G1 Ballerina on Aug. 28. The trainer is not expected to be in attendance for this Saturday's race at Saratoga.

Illumination, a daughter of Medaglia d'Oro, broke her maiden on June 4 at Santa Anita by eight lengths, but has not raced since. That was her fifth career start, but first in over seven months, during which time co-owner George Bolton told DRF the filly was turned out and given time to grow up.

The $900,000 yearling purchase from the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select sale earned a Grade 1 placing as a 2-year-old in the Del Mar Debutante, finishing third. She is out of the stakes-winning, multiple graded stakes-placed Street Sense mare Light the City, from the family of Mastery, Two Step Salsa, and Top Commander.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance To Be Featured Whitney Weekend At Saratoga

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced a series of events to highlight the work of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) on Saturday, Aug. 7 and Sunday, Aug. 8 at Saratoga Race Course.

The TAA is the nonprofit organization that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Based in Lexington, KY, the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members.

Since inception in 2012, the TAA has granted more than $20.7 million to accredited aftercare organizations, assisting 12,900 Thoroughbreds. Currently 81 aftercare organizations supporting approximately 180 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation.

On Saturday, Aug. 7, the TAA will be featured at the NYRA Community Booth, where fans will be able to learn about the organization's mission from TAA representatives, and to make a donation in exchange for a Remi Bellocq cartoon t-shirt and a variety of racing items like saddle towels and goggles.

Racing fans can also show their support by opting to make a donation to the TAA throughout the Saratoga meet when cashing a winning ticket on an AmTote International self-service betting terminal. All donations are tax deductible.

On Sunday, Aug. 8, horses will don NYRA-donated TAA saddle towels for a race named in honor of the TAA. In the winner's circle after the race, the TAA will present awards to the best turned-out horse and to the winning groom and connections.

“Many consider the Whitney Stakes as the marque race for older horses at Saratoga,” said TAA President Jimmy Bell. “What better stage for the TAA to be present and share in the excitement of the day and the commitment to Thoroughbred aftercare.”

“Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Weekend is a golden opportunity to share the kind of productive careers that Thoroughbreds can enjoy after they leave the track,” said Stacie Clark-Rogers of the TAA. “In many cases, these are talented and highly trainable horses who demonstrate an ability to flourish in new careers like show jumping and dressage. Training and owning these horses can be also an important and rewarding experience.”

The New York Thoroughbred industry is a leader in aftercare, donating more than $1.28 million toward racehorse retirement every year. In addition to the contributions made by NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA), the New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB), the NYRA jockey colony, and individual owners and trainers, there have been two ground-breaking programs implemented at the NYRA tracks. Owners pay a per-start fee for every horse that races, and they pay a surcharge on every horse claimed out of a NYRA race. Those two programs alone raise about $500,000 every year.

To learn more about the TAA, visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.

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TAA Featured Whitney Week

A series of events will highlight the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) Aug. 7-8 at Saratoga Race Course, according to The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). On Saturday, the non-profit organization will be featured at the NYRA Community Booth, where fans will be able to learn about the organization's mission, and to make a donation in exchange for a Remi Bellocq cartoon t-shirt and a variety of racing items like saddle towels and goggles. Fans can also make a donation to the TAA throughout the Saratoga meet when cashing a winning ticket on an AmTote International self-service betting terminal. All donations are tax deductible.

“Many consider the Whitney S. as the marque race for older horses at Saratoga,” said TAA President Jimmy Bell. “What better stage for the TAA to be present and share in the excitement of the day and the commitment to Thoroughbred aftercare.”

On Sunday, horses will don NYRA-donated TAA saddle towels for a race named in honor of the TAA. In the winner's circle after the race, the TAA will present awards to the best turned-out horse and to the winning groom and connections.

The TAA is the nonprofit organization that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. The New York Thoroughbred industry donates more than $1.28 million toward racehorse retirement annually.

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