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Life Is Good Headlines Star-Studded Saturday of Racing

Holiday weekends are often synonymous with exciting race cards and this Fourth of July weekend is no exception with a dozen graded events on tap Saturday that include some of racing's best. The highlight of the day's action is the return of 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief), who is making his first start back since finishing fourth in the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 26 in Belmont's GII John A. Nerud S.

A dominant winner of last year's GII Kelso H. and GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and this term's GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S., Life Is Good spent some time at WinStar after his return from Dubai and has been breezing steadily at Belmont for Pletcher since Memorial Day weekend. Flavien Prat climbs aboard the fleet-footed bay for the first time Saturday.

“Flavien has proven he rides really well in any occasion,” said Pletcher, who indicated this race is a prep for the GI Whitney S. “There might be some similarities to Flightline (Tapit) and Life Is Good, but we'll have a talk about the horse a little bit. He's got kind of a quiet touch, so that should suit him well.”

While Life Is Good will certainly be the heavy favorite, there is one member of this five-horse field who could give him a run for his money. Godolphin homebred Speaker's Corner (Street Sense) kicked off 2022 with a trio of seemingly effortless victories in the GIII Fred Hooper S., GII Gulfstream Park Mile and GI Carter H. He received a 114 Beyer Speed Figure for that win, which trumps Life Is Good's best figure of 110 in the Pegasus. The bay enters this off a third-place finish behind unbeaten sensation Flightline in the GI Hill 'n' Dale Met Mile June 11 and Jose Ortiz takes over the controls from Junior Alvarado, who will be riding for trainer Bill Mott in Kentucky.

The Nerud certainly looks like a match race between these two formidable foes as Repo Rocks (Tapiture), Harvard (Pioneerof the Nile) and War Tocsin (Violence) are overmatched to say the least.

Also on tap at Belmont Saturday is the GIII Dwyer S. for sophomore colts. The regally bred Charge It (Tapit) looks to rebound in this cutback in trip after a poor effort in the GI Kentucky Derby, where he finished 17th. The 'TDN Rising Star' was a green, but good second in the GI Curlin Florida Derby in April and the Run for the Roses may have just been too much too soon. You can count on Pletcher to have the colt ready to roll in this softer spot and his back-to-back bullets on the local training track affirm that. With the colt's regular rider Luis Saez at Churchill Downs for Americanrevolution (Constitution), the Hall of Famer calls on his right-hand man John Velazquez to take over the reins.

Chad Brown has an intriguing runner in the Dwyer in Peter Brant's Nabokov (Uncle Mo). The $775,000 KEESEP buy earned his diploma at this oval when extended to two turns last time in his second start May 15.

Cox Holds Strong Hand at Churchill

Churchill Downs also offers a pair of intriguing graded events and Brad Cox has a strong chance to take both. He sends out Juddmonte homebred Mandaloun (Into Mischief)–who is making his first start since a well-beaten ninth in the G1 Saudi Cup–in the GII Stephen Foster H., a Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' event. The colt was promoted to first via DQ in both the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Haskell Invitational S. last year and crossed the line first in the GIII Louisiana S. in January. Cox also saddles Caddo River (Hard Spun) off a trio of optional claimer scores.

Olympiad | Coady

That pair face some stiff competition from New York in Olympiad (Speightstown) and Americanrevolution (Constitution). The Bill Mott-trained Olympiad is a perfect four-for-four this season, topped by wins in the GIII Mineshaft S., GII New Orleans Classic and GII Alysheba S. Meanwhile, Americanrevolution, who shares the same connections as Life is Good, looks to return to winning ways. Capturing the GI Cigar Mile Dec. 4, the chestnut spent six months on the shelf and was a disappointing fourth in his return in the track-and-trip Blame S. June 4.

The GII Fleur de Lis S. attracted just five distaffers, but two of them are Grade I winners. Cox sends out Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), whose trio of Grade I wins includes the 2020 GI Kentucky Oaks. The bay was run down last time by this field's other top-level scorer Pauline's Pearl (Tapit) in this venue's GI La Troienne S. May 6. That Stonestreet homebred ran back in the local Shawnee S. June 4, finishing fourth as the heavy favorite behind She's All Wolfe (Magna Graduate).

Sprinters Star at Gulfstream

Female sprinters get a chance to secure a spot in the Breeders' Cup Saturday at Gulfstream in the GII Princess Rooney S., a 'Win and You're In.' Champion Ce Ce (Elusive Quality) won this event last term en route to a victory in the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint and she will be heavily favored to defend her title. Winner of the GII Azeri S. earlier this year, the chestnut was third behind champion Letruska (Super Saver) and last-out GI Ogden Phipps S. winner Clairiere (Curlin) in the GI Apple Blossom H. Apr. 23.

Her biggest competition will come from claim-to-fame Glass Ceiling (Constitution), winner of the GIII Barbare Fritchie S. and GIII Distaff H. The bay enters off a third to Bella Sofia (Awesome Patriot) in the GII Bed O'Roses S. June 10.

Male sprinters get a chance at graded glory in Hallandale too in the GIII Smile Sprint S. The race will go through GI Woody Stephens S. winner Drain the Clock (Maclean's Music), who makes his first start since finishing seventh in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen S. Mar. 26.

Delaware & Canada Also Offer Graded Action

Sophomores will be in the spotlight at Delaware Park Saturday with the GIII Delaware Oaks and GIII Kent S. Ruthless S. winner Shotgun Hottie (Gun Runner) looks like the one to beat. The bay receives Lasix for the first time off a third-place finish in Aqueduct's GIII Gazelle S. Apr. 9.

The GIII Kent S. features 3-year-old colts on the grass and the likely favorite is Harrell Ventures' Main Event (Bernardini), winner of the Cutler Bay S. He was last seen finishing ninth in the GII American Turf S. at Churchill May 7. He faces Brad Cox runner Tommy Bee (Medaglia d'Oro), who was second in a trio of listed stakes.

Woodbine hosts four graded events Saturday: the GIII Selene S. for 3-year-old fillies, the GIII Marine S. for sophomore colts, the GII Nassau S. for older fillies and mares, and the GII Highlander S. for older male turf sprinters. Jonathan Thomas could win both the sophomore events with Catiche (Arrogate) in the Selene and Fuerteventura (Summer Front) in the Marine.

Lady Speightspeare (Speightstown), winner of this venue's GII Bessarabian S., faces SW & MGSP Crystal Cliffs (Fr) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) and GSW Plum Ali (First Samurai) in the Nassau. The Highlander is topped by the Wesley Ward-trained Bound for Nowhere (The Factor), a two-time winner of the GII Shakertown S. at Keeneland.

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Claiming Crown: ‘Peculiar’ Smile Sprint Winner Miles Ahead Tops Rapid Transit

David Melin, Laurie Plesa and Leon Ellman's Miles Ahead will bring graded-stakes credentials into Saturday's $85,000 Rapid Transit at Gulfstream Park, which will host the $810,000 Claiming Crown on the first weekend of the 2021-2022 Championship Meet.

The Eddie Plesa-trained 4-year-old gelding, who captured the $200,000 Smile Sprint (G3) at Gulfstream Park July 3, will seek to make amends for a subpar showing last year in the Rapid Transit, a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up who have raced for a claiming price of $16,000 or less in 2020-2021.

The Claiming Crown Rapid Transit, a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up who have run for a claiming price of $16,000 or less in 2020-2021, is one of nine starter stakes on Saturday's 11-race program with a noon first-race post time.

Miles Ahead's career got off to a most inauspicious start when he was eased in his December 2019 debut in a $50,000 maiden claiming race on turf. The son of Competitive Edge pulled off a Jekyll and Hyde act while taking to Gulfstream's main track for his second career start, graduating by 12 ½ lengths in a $12,500 maiden claiming race.

“I didn't think we'd lose him, and I wasn't sure he would like the dirt. He was kind of a peculiar horse at that time. His works were unimpressive. The reason I put him on the turf the first time was he didn't really show anything on dirt. He ran miserably [on turf],” Plesa said. “We said, 'He's not showing anything. Let's go ahead an put on the dirt and throw a set of blinkers on him,' hoping that everything turns out OK. Low and behold, he won by the length of the stretch. That was eye-opening for us,” he added. “Needless to say, I was very happy to find out we didn't lose him.”

Miles Ahead, who was purchased for $175,000 at the 2019 OBS March 2-year-olds-in-training sale, went on to become a reliable and productive allowance and starter allowance runner in 2020 before blossoming into a graded-stakes winner this year.

“He's just kind of taken off,” Plesa said. “That [maiden claiming] race made him eligible for starter races, which is the reason he's eligible for this race, and he's capped it off with a graded-stakes win.”

Miles Ahead, who finished a close second behind multiple graded-stakes winner Diamond Oops in an overnight handicap leading up to the $200,000 Smile Sprint, put it all together in the Smile, which co-headlined the July 3 Summit of Speed program with the $350,000 Princess Rooney (G2). The Kentucky-bred gelding stalked the pace while racing clear on the outside before sweeping to the lead at the top of the stretch under Victor Espinoza and holding off Chance It.

“He deserved to be in the race. Edwin Gonzalez was supposed to ride him, but he got hurt that day earlier on in the program. We were lucky to pick up a top rider, who had flown in from California, and everything clicked,” Plesa said “It was a great win for the horse and it was great for us.”

Melin, Ellman and Plesa's wife, Laurie, have enjoyed a most successful partnership for many years, most notably with Itsmyluckyday, a Grade 1 winner of $1.7 million who won the 2013 Holy Bull (G2) before finishing second in the Florida Derby (G1).

“I've trained for David Melin for, say, 32 or 33 years. Leon Ellman is a friend and business associate of David's. Our partnership has been in business for about 10 years,” Plesa said.

Miles Ahead was shipped to Saratoga following his Smile win for a start in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1), in which he encountered early bumping and finished ninth after an extremely wide trip. In his most recent start in a five-furlong off-the-turf overnight handicap at Gulfstream, he closed with a rush from far back to finish second, a neck short of victory.

Paco Lopez, who has won three of four starts aboard Miles Ahead, has the mount Saturday.

Owner/trainer Kathleen O'Connell's Well Defined will also bring graded-stakes credentials into the Rapid Transit. The 5-year-old gelded son of With Distinction, who captured the 2019 Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, has enjoyed a profitable 2021 campaign, during which he has won five races, including the $100,000 Benny The Bull.

Luca Panici has the call on Well Defined.

Travin Stables' Lookin At Roses, who finished fourth in the Greenwood Cup (G3) at Parx prior to winning a starter allowance at Laurel last time out; Imaginary Stables and Elizabeth Dobles' Pudding, a overnight handicap winner at Gulfstream after being claimed for $25,000 during the summer; Frank Calabrese's Financial System, who just missed in optional claiming allowance company in his first start off a $10,000 claim; and Michele and Lawrence Sargent's Legal Deal, a last-out winner who finished third behind Miles Ahead and Well Defined in a starter allowance last summer; are also entered in the Rapid Transit.

I'm a G Six, Fortunate Friends, Motataabeq, and Star Sign round out the 11-horse field.

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Espinoza Scores Last Minute Mount, Victory On Miles Ahead In Smile Sprint

Miles Ahead has been slow to develop, but the patience trainer Eddie Plesa Jr., has shown with the 4-year-old colt is starting to pay in a big way.

Three-wide entering the far turn under jockey Victor Espinoza, Miles Ahead drove to the lead entering the stretch to win Saturday's $200,000 Grade 3 Smile Sprint Invitational at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla. by a half length over Chance It. Diamond Oops finished third. Owned by David Melvin, Leon Ellman, and Laurie Plesa, Miles Ahead covered the six furlongs in 1:09.61.

The Smile was one of 12 races comprising Saturday's Summit of Speed card highlighted by the $350,000 Grade 2 Princess Rooney Stakes, a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” race also won by Espinoza aboard Ce Ce.

“He's an improving horse…one of those horses you have to have patience with,” Plesa said. “Some of these horses are late developers and he's come around nicely.”

Entering the race off a second-place finish behind Diamond Oops in the $60,000 Hollywood Lakes, Miles Ahead raced three wide down the backstretch just off the pacesetter Willy Boi, who went the opening quarter in :22.55 and a half mile in :45.16. But, around the turn, Espinoza made his move on Miles Ahead and took the lead entering the stretch before driving to victory.

Espinoza, who picked up the mount on Miles Ahead when named jockey Edwin Gonzalez was forced off his mounts after being thrown from his mount in the previous race, said: “It was nice that I was on the outside and I was able to control the race the whole way and see what the inside horses wanted to do. It worked out perfect. It was a pretty talented horse I rode.”

“We gave $175,000 for him [as a 2-year-old],” said Plesa of the son of Competitive Edge. “I worked him he never showed anything. I put him on the turf because he never showed anything, and he got beat 30 lengths. I dropped him in for $12,500 and he won the length of the stretch. He's been an over-achiever since then.”

Miles Ahead, a winner of eight of 16 starts, has now earned $260,000.

The Smile is named in honor of the champion sprinter of 1986 bred and owned by Frances A. Genter Stable. Smile was a Grade 1 winner whose first seven races were at Calder Race Course for trainer Frank Gomez.

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Chance It ‘Dressed Up And Ready’ For Saturday’s Smile Sprint

It's been a long wait.

But 18 months after branding himself as a promising 3-year-old, and 15 months after going off as one of the favorites in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), Shooting Star Thoroughbreds, LLC's Chance It appears ready to establish himself as one of the country's premier 4-year-olds in Saturday's $200,000 Smile Sprint Invitational (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

“He's all dressed up and ready to go,” said Mary Lightner, managing partner of Shooting Star Thoroughbreds. “We were looking for a big 3-year-old year for him. It didn't happen. Now we're looking for a big 4-year-old year.”

Chance It, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. and 3-1 in the morning line, will need his best Saturday in the six-furlong Smile when facing a field of eight that includes multiple Grade 2 winner Diamond Oops (5-2), 2020 Florida Derby (G1) runner-up Shivaree (15-1), and graded-stakes placed Double Crown (9-2) and Frosted Grace (6-1).

The Smile is one of two graded stakes races comprising Saturday's Summit of Speed card highlighted by the $350,000 Princess Rooney (G2), a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” that has attracted multiple Grade 1 winner Ce Ce.

One of the fastest 2-year-olds of 2019, Chance It won two-thirds of the Florida Sire Stakes – including the 1 1/16 mile $400,000 In Reality in September to wrap up his juvenile season. The son of Currency Swap made his 3-year-old debut on Jan. 4 2020 by winning the Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream. Two months later, Chance It went off the second choice at 5-2 in the Tampa Bay Derby and finished fifth. The colt would no return to the races for nearly 15 months.

“He came out with a soft tissue injury from that race,” Lightner said. “At 3 he was certainly a stakes horse, but we felt he was a graded-stakes horse. So, we decided to give him all the time he needed.”

Chance It prepped for the Smile May 23 when he finished second in an allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream while making his first start in 15 months.

“We were happy with his race,” Lightner said. “We're pretty competitive people so we would have liked to have won. But he really needed the race and the horse that beat him [Double Crown] is a good horse.”

Chance It enters the Smile off two 'bullet' workouts. Edgard Zayas is named to ride.

The Patrick Biancone-trained 6-year-old Diamond Oops won the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) at Churchill Downs and the Phoenix Stakes (G2) at Keeneland (G2) last fall. After a fourth-place finish in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint in May, the son of Lookin At Lucky won the $50,000 Hollywood Lakes in June at Gulfstream. Diamond Oops has won six of 11 starts at Gulfstream and three of four at the distance. Florent Geroux is named to ride.

Trainer Kathy Ritvo has entered three in the Smile in Frosted Grace, Double Crown and Ournationonparade.

Frosted Grace, a 5-year-old son of Mark Valeski, enters the Smile off a third-place finish May 15 in the Maryland Sprint (G3) at Pimlico. Earlier in the year Frosted Grace was second in the Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3) and second in the Sir Shackleton. Double Crown's victory over Chance It in May was his first start since finishing second in the Chick Lang Stakes (G3) at Pimlico in October. The son of Bourbon Courage finished third in last year's Smile behind Cool Arrow. Ournationonparade finished third behind Diamond Oops in the Hollywood Lakes last time out and was fifth in last year's Smile.

Ritvo has named Javier Castellano on Frosted Grace, Luca Panici on Double Crown and Cristian Torres on Ournationonparade.

Willy Boi (15-1), trained by Jeff Engler, finished fourth in the Hollywood Lakes last time out. The Uncaptured colt had previously finished fourth in the Chick Lang. Miles Ahead (4-1) finished second in the Hollywood Lakes for trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. Miles Ahead has won six races at Gulfstream and is four of six at the distance.

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