Living The Life Repeats in PID Masters

Living The Life sure loves Presque Isle Downs, taking the $400,000 Presque Isle Downs Masters (gr. II) for the second straight year.



The 5-year-old Irish-bred mare rallied up the rail late to reel in favored Leigh Court to prevail by three-quarters of a length.



Leigh Court, the 6-5 favorite in the field of eight, quickly got to the front soon after the start of the 6 1/2-furlong race under Gary Boulanger and set all the pace, including a half-mile in a quick :45.41 over the Tapeta surface. The multiple stakes winning mare turned for home in front but couldn't hold off the rail bid from Living The Life, settling for second best



It was a perfectly timed ride by jockey Joe Bravo, aboard Living The Life, who was making her first start since July 11 when she finished second in the Great Lady M Stakes (gr. II) at Los Alamitos for trainer Gary Mandella.



Racing in fourth position early on, Living The Life found her best stride in the stretch to finish full of run up to the rail, getting the trip in 1:15.17. She is now a perfect two-for-two at Presque Isle Downs, taking last year's running and four for four on synthetic surfaces in North America with other wins at Golden Gate Fields and Del Mar (last year).



Living The Life was bred in Ireland by Michael Begley and is by Footstepsinthesand out of the dam Colour and Spice. She began her career racing in England for trainer Philip S. McEntee where she won five of 19 starts before coming to Mandella's care in the spring of 2014. All of her wins in England came over synthetic surfaces.



The mare won three of her first four starts for Mandella, including a victory in last year's Masters, with her only loss coming in the DraftKings Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I), where she finished 10th.



After taking the six-furlong Camilla Urso Stakes at Golden Gate to start her 2015 campaign, she dropped her last three decisions and was given a little time off before returning to defend her title in the Masters.



Owned by HnR Nothhaft Horse Racing, Living The Life has won nine of 27 starts with career earnings of $791,454.



Living The Life returned $6.80 to win, $4,40 to place and $2.80 to show as the second-choice in the wagering. Leigh Court paid $3 to place and $2.20 to show, while Miss Mischief returned $3.20 to show.



Cactus Kris got up to be fourth and was followed out byDauphine Russe, Miss Tapit, Pirate's Trove and Nellie Cashman. Ageless was an early scratch from the field.