By Steve Sherack
Saratoga Maidens, Presented by Keeneland
WinStar Farm, First Go Racing and CHC, Inc.'s The Good Life (c, 2, Life Is Good–First Hour, by Speightstown) shot out to the front and dominated a talented-looking bunch on debut at the Spa Saturday to become the third 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' for his freshman sire.
Off at odds of 3-1, the Brad Cox-trained The Good Life was hustled to the front from his inside draw by Manny Franco and led through an opening quarter in :22.92. He began to let it out a notch approaching the quarter pole and drew clear in the stretch to win with authority by 3 1/2 lengths.
Highly regarded $1.8-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate Powerline (Flightline) encountered some traffic trouble in the early going and also got slammed into at the top of the stretch to finish an unlucky second as the 8-5 second choice.
Favored Greenwell (Flightline), second as the chalk on debut at Churchill Downs June 12, was a disappointing fifth as the 6-5 choice.
The final time for six furlongs was 1:11.14.
The winner's dam First Hour, a maiden of three career starts, brought $250,000 from WinStar as a Keeneland November weanling. She is also responsible for Hereforagoodtime (Justify), MGSP, $481,711; and a yearling filly by Flightline.
First Hour is a half-sister to MGSW & GISP and fantastic producer Justwhistledixie (Dixie Union), the dam of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner New Year's Day (Street Cry {Ire}); MGSW Mohaymen (Tapit); and GSWs Kingly (Tapit) and Enforceable (Tapit).
1st-Saratoga, $115,000, Msw, 7-18, 2yo, 6f, 1:11.14, ft, 3 1/2 lengths.
THE GOOD LIFE, c, 2, by Life Is Good
1st Dam: First Hour, by Speightstown
2nd Dam: General Jeanne, by Honour and Glory
3rd Dam: Ahpo Hel, by Mr. Leader
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $63,250. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-WinStar Farm LLC, First Go Racing & CHC, Inc.; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. *1/2 to Hereforagoodtime (Justify), MGSP, $481,711.
THE GOOD LIFE, a first-time starter by Life Is Good, breaks his maiden impressively in the opener under @jockeyfranco for @bradcoxracing. pic.twitter.com/rfKdwRxya5
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) July 18, 2026
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