Life Is Good Looks Good in Kelso Handicap
New York Hot List Staff | Thursday, September 24
Not all of the good 3-year-olds will be running at Parx Saturday. A couple of hours north on I-95, prior to the late afternoon running of the Pennsylvania Derby, Life Is Good will continue his comeback facing older foes in the Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park. Only four rivals turned out to face him, which is understandable given the 3-year-old’s speed and talent. Listed at 1-9 on the morning line, the price on the toteboard might not be much, but any time you can see a horse as gifted as Life Is Good appears to be, it’s a rare treat.
Here’s the Hot List picks for the Kelso:
Belmont Park, Saturday, Race 4, $300,000 Kelso Handicap (G2): (2) Life Is Good returned from a six-month layoff with a perfect record in his first three starts while under the care of Bob Baffert. He was moved to the barn of Todd Pletcher following the turmoil that has surrounded Baffert. In the Jerkens Memorial (G1), Life Is Good had to face the best sprinter in the country in Jackie’s Warrior. He set the pace, battled down the stretch with Jackie’s Warrior, and was beaten by a neck. He got right back to the track after the Jerkens and will use the Kelso as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1). He is the only horse in this field that has run a triple-digit Beyer Speed Figure and he got them in his last three starts. As a 3-year-old, he will face older horses for the first time in the Kelso. (3) Chance It leads the others as the most likely horse to complete what will be a low-paying exacta. He finished in the top three in all of his starts this year including the Forego (G1) and the Smile Sprint (G3). He won his only start going a one-turn mile. (5) Doubly Blessed is 3 for 3 going a mile, has run well at Belmont Park, but mostly in allowance and claiming races. (1) Fort Peck ran his best race in the past couple years in his first start after being claimed by Robertino Diodoro for $62,500. He won a $50,000 claimer by almost seven-lengths.
Analysis of Saturday’s full card and the Special Saturday Pick 3 is available free of charge at this website.