The four-year-old filly Living the Life has been doing just that since
joining the Southern California-based stable of Gary Mandella following a
low-key career in England. On Monday, the daughter of Footstepsinthesand made a
winning stakes debut in the Grade 2, $400,400
Presque Isle Downs Masters, a race won in recent years by female sprint
champions Groupie Doll, Musical Romance, and Informed Decision.
A narrow 5-2 favorite following a winning U.S. debut at Del Mar against
second-level allowance company August 7, Living the Life rated within three
lengths of outsider Significant Bling through modest splits of :23 2/5 and :46
2/5. Making a three-wide rally approaching the stretch under Mike Smith, Living
the Life then surged to a narrow lead over turf sprint star Ageless passing the
eighth pole and gradually edged away to win by a half-length.
Owned by HnR Nothhaft Horse Racing, Living the Life returned $7.40 to win
after completing 6 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta in 1:15 1/5.
Disco Barbie, an undefeated three-for-three at Presque Isle Downs entering
the Masters, saved ground most of the way, lacked running room in upper stretch,
and then rallied between rivals when a seam opened to finish second at odds of
5-2. Ageless, a tracking second most of the way, held on for third by
half-length over longshot Cactus Kris. My Option, Northern Passion, Significant
Bling, Master the Blues, and Capella Dancer rounded out the order of finish.
Madame Cactus was deemed a starter in the Masters despite her refusal to
break. Scratched from the race were Sushi Empire and Youcan’tcatchme.
Living the Life now possesses a record of 21-7-4-2, $479,244. She competed
mostly in minor events on synthetic courses in England, but did capture the
All-Weather Fillies & Mares Championship at Lingfield, a non-stakes conditions
event with an approximate purse of $250,000, back in April.
Bred in Ireland by Michael Begley, Living the Life was produced by Colour and
Spice, a Machiavellian half-sister to multiple stakes winner Step With Style.
This extended family also includes Kool Kompany, a Group 2-winning juvenile in
Ireland and France this season, and current multiple Group 3-placed stakes
winner Muteela.
Others hailing from this female line are Group 1 winners Awzaan,
Bassenthwaite, Magical Fantasy, and Keen Hunter; Group 2 winners Watching and
Altibr; and Grade/Group 3 scorers Glancing and Media Mogul.
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