Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said Feb. 27 he plans to run both Life Is Good and Medina Spirit in the March 6 San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. The 1 1/16-mile race is a Road to the Kentucky Derby points race and a regular steppingstone toward the April 3 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1).
"Life Is Good will work tomorrow and Medina Spirit worked today," said the two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer, who seeks to add to his record seven San Felipe victories.
A game neck winner in a three-horse photo of the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) Jan. 30, Zedan Racing Stable's Medina Spirit breezed six furlongs in a bullet 1:11 1/5, fastest of 11 drills at the distance Saturday morning.
"He worked well and if he comes out of it in good order, the plan is to run in the San Felipe," Baffert said.
Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who piloted Authentic to victory in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Wood Reserve (G1) en route to Horse of the Year honors, will ride Medina Spirit for the first time, while Mike Smith retains the mount on Life Is Good. Abel Cedillo had ridden Medina Spirit previously.
WinStar Farm and China Horse Club's Life Is Good outlasted Medina Spirit by three-quarters of a length in the Jan. 2 Sham Stakes (G3)
