Street Life's Owner Exudes Confidence

Kevin Latta, part of the Hidden Brook Farm ownership group that campaigns Street Life in partnership with Magnolia Racing Stable, says there’s no need to handicap Saturday’s Wood.

“We’re going to win,” said Latta without hesitation. “Alpha and Street Life are going to be [in the] back. In front are going to be The Lumber Guy, Gemologist, and Teeth of the Dog. And we’re finally going to get some splits to run at, and we’re just going to settle in the back. That’s how I see it. It’s going to be our horse and My Adonis to the wire.”

Street Life closed into slow fractions to break his maiden by a widening 2 ½ lengths on February 11 and won the Broad Brush overnight stakes by a half-length on March 17. In the Wood the colt should get a fast pace to set up his closing kick.

“I’ve been watching horse racing since I was 15 and that move he made when he broke his maiden was phenomenal,” said Latta. “That’s what really caught my attention. He’s been running into unbelievably slow fractions. You know how hard that is to do. If he gets something to run at tomorrow, I think he’s going to win.”

Street Life’s maiden win also impressed Bob McNair of Magnolia Racing Stable, who subsequently purchased a 50 percent interest in the colt. With a strong performance in the Wood, Street Life could take McNair, the Hidden Brook contingent, and trainer Chad Brown to Louisville.

“It’s a great thrill. It’s my childhood dream to go to the Kentucky Derby, so it’s a big deal for me,” said Latta. “I think he can do it. He has the pedigree for it. I’m pretty confident. Had McNair not come in for a half, I was going to buy that portion. That’s how confident I was.”