Living The Life 'Masters' Stakes Debut

All-weather sprint specialist Living The Life, a recent arrival from overseas, added a third straight win to her record Sept. 8 in taking the $400,000 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (gr. II) at Presque Isle Downs . 

 

The Irish-bred daughter of Footstepsinthesand won her stakes debut by a half-length under Mike Smith after taking charge from stubborn pacesetter Significant Bling in midstretch. She tenaciously dug in and held back runner-up Disco Barbie, who came between rivals to challenge and swiftly closed ground but could not overtake the winner.  

 

Disco Barbie saw her perfect 3-for-3 record at the track halted, while Ageless had her three stakes win streak snapped in a third-place finish, one length behind Disco Barbie. 

 

Smith had Living The Life ideally positioned between horses down the backstretch while Significant Bling clipped off the opening quarter in :23.46 with Ageless tracking from second, a length back. She clocked a half-mile in :46.44 as Smith wound up Living The Life for her run and moved her three wide into the stretch to cement the victory when the 4-year-old filly spurted past Ageless. 

 

Living The Life won the track's marquee race as the 2-1 favorite and covered the race's 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.26 on the Tapeta surface.

 

Living the Life posted a 5-4-2 record from 19 starts in England, winning on the all-weather tracks at Lingfield, Wolverhampton, and Kempton. She closed that campaign April 18 with a victory at Lingfield and then captured her United States debut for trainer Gary Mandella, taking a six-furlong allowance/optional claiming race at Del Mar Aug. 7 before a transcontinental trip to Erie, Penn. track. She races for HnR Nothhaft Horse Racing.

 

Under 121 pounds, Living The Life paid $7.40, $4, and $2.60, and Disco Barbie, toting 112, returned $4.20 and $3.20. Ageless, the race's co-top weight at 123 pounds, was worth $4.20 to show.

 

Completing the order of finish was Cactus Kris, My Option, Northern Passion, Significant Bling, Master the Blues, Capella Dancer, and Madame Cactus. Sushi Empire and Youcan'tcatchme scratched.

 

Living the Life was bred in Ireland by Michael Begley from the unraced Machiavellian mare Colour and Spice.