Pletcher: Life Is Good will use Woodward as Breeders' Cup prep
New Kent, Va.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has decided on Life Is Good's Breeders' Cup prep, just not which Breeders' Cup race.
Following Capensis's victory in the Virginia Derby (G3) on Tuesday at Colonial Downs for Pletcher, the Racing Hall of Fame conditioner confirmed the Woodward Stakes (G1) on Oct. 1 at Aqueduct as Life Is Good's next target. The Woodward is part of the Belmont at the Big A meeting. Typically, the Woodward would be around one turn at 1 1/8 miles at Belmont Park, but that distance is once around Aqueduct's main track.
"We're focused on preparing (Life Is Good) for the Woodward, and we'll see how he does there before discussions with the team on what's next," Pletcher said. "We have a ton of respect for Flightline, but we also know how talented Life Is Good is."
Life Is Good's Breeders' Cup options are either the Breeders' Cup Classic at 1 1/4 miles or the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. The Into Mischief colt is undefeated in six career starts between eight furlongs and nine furlongs, but suffered one of only two career losses when a fading fourth in the Dubai World Cup (G1) going the Classic distance of 10 furlongs.
Pletcher trains Life is Good for a partnership of China Horse Club and WinStar Farm. He has won 8 of 10 starts and earned $4,086,700.
Life Is Good closed at 8-1 in last weekend's Breeders' Cup Classic Future Wager. Authoritative Pacific Classic (G1) winner Flightline is favored at 4-5, Travers Stakes (G1) winner Epicenter 7-1, and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) winner Olympiad at 8-1. The three latter horses all have wins at the Classic distance with Flightline's Pacific Classic a 19 1/4-length romp over Country Grammer, winner of the Dubai World Cup.
"That was an amazing performance," Pletcher said of Flightline. "It was one of those performances that you watch and the rest of the field seems to float away into a different area code. It was very impressive, and it's pretty cool that we trained the dam."
Flightline is out of Feathered, a graded-stakes winning daughter of Indian Charlie.
Although Pletcher would not committ to a Breeders' Cup target, Pletcher did indulge in what a race it could be if the aforementioned top four betting choices in the Classic future wager met on Nov. 5 at Keeneland Race Course.
"That's why the Breeders' Cup was designed," Pletcher said. "It brings all the best ones together. Hopefully it works out and everyone stays healthy and we'll be able to meet up on racing's biggest stage."