Staff Writer |
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher-trained Life Is Good and Colonel Liam, two stablemates and the world’s leading racing athletes, make their next start in the US$12 million Dubai World Cup, and Colonel Liam runs in the US$5 million Dubai World Cup Turf.
Life Is Good, was transferred to Todd Pletcher’s barn mid-last year. He has won six of his seven starts with career earnings of over US$2.8 million. He is unbeaten in his last three starts.
Colonel Liam was purchased for US$1.2 million from the Wavertree Stables consignment at the 2019 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. He was originally a US$50,000 purchase by Waves Bloodstock from Darby Dan Farm's consignment at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. With Saturday's win, his earnings stand at US$1.8 million.
This marks the first international travel for both horses, who have raced exclusively in the U.S. Colonial Liam is a 5YO son of Liam's Map, a seven-time winner from 10 starts, while the speedy Life Is Good is a 4YO son of Into Mischief won the Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup.
Here, in an exclusive interview with ten Furlongs, Pletcher talks about what he thinks about Life Is Good's chances on the Meydan track, what's next for the superstar son of Into Mischief and turfer Colonel Liam, his racing ambitions, and much more.
Q: What are your travel plans for the horses and yourself? Do you have any concerns about their first international travel?
A: The horses left for the UAE in the second week of March with the other American horses, while I will arrive in Dubai on March 21.
I am really not worried about their travel to Dubai. Although it's their first trip to Dubai, they have travelled elsewhere previously and we know they can handle it. They are thorough professionals.
Q: As Life Is Good will be competing against horses like Hot Rod Charlie, Country Grammar, Chuwa Wizard, Midnight Bourbon, do you have any concerns about the competition or the track at Meydan?
A: The Dubai World Cup field has always been a contentious one. The competition will be tough but Life Is Good is a thorough professional. We hope that he has a good trip over there and settles well. We already know that he is good with two-turn races and we have absolutely no concerns about the track.
Q: What are your plans for Life is Good and Colonel Liam after they return to the US?
A: We have to see how they are doing once they return to the US. All being well, they will have a prep race in Belmont or Saratoga in July or August. We aim to race them in the Breeders Cup later in the year.
Although Colonel Liam debuted on dirt he seems to like the turf surface better. We hope to race him in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, while Life Is Good will be attempting the Classic.
Q: What has been your most exciting win on World Cup night?
A: We have had a few close seconds in Dubai but Coal Front was really our first win in the Middle East. He won the Godolphin Mile under Jose Ortiz. So, in a long list of races to win, Dubai World Cup is right on top. It has been on the agenda for a long time.