Life Is Sweet, winner of the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I), could run next the $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II) at Hollywood Park Dec. 5, according to the filly's owner.
Marty Wygod said Nov. 29 that Life Is Sweet would work early this week for trainer John Shirreffs and a final decision would be made on the 1 1/16-mile Bayakoa, for which the 4-year-old filly is nominated.
“The first race under consideration for her next year, the Santa Maria Handicap (gr. I), is not until February, a long time between drinks,” explained Wygod. “And she was just coming into her own in the Breeders’ Cup.”
Wygod, along with his wife, Pam, also bred the daughter of Storm Cat--Sweet Life (by Kris S.). Life Is Sweet scored the biggest victory of her career in the $2-million BC Ladies Classic Nov. 6 at Santa Anita. The victory was her fourth stakes triumph of the year and second grade I, and bumped her career earnings to $1,770,810.
Life Is Sweet has worked over Hollywood's Cushion Track once since then, going four furlongs in :50.00 Nov. 25.
Shirreffs would need a replacement for regular jockey Garrett Gomez, who will be in Japan next weekend in international riding competition.
Wygod won the Bayakoa with Pirate’s Revenge in 1995 and Feverish in 2000. He also nominated Smooth Performer, a 4-year-old filly he owns in partnership with John Spohler. Wygod said the runner-up in the Cat’s Cradle Handicap at Hollywood Nov. 15 for trainer Cliff Sise is also possible.
