Coming from well off the pace, Life of Joy powered past the field in upper stretch and went on to win the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) a commanding 3 ¾-lengths over Bella Ballerina.
The 3-year-old Gun Runner filly, who was making her first start since early February, picked up a crucial 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, upping her total to 122, which currently tops the list.
With a moderate pace being set in front of her, Life of Joy was sixth through the first five furlongs of Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile contest. Entering the far turn, Life of Joy began to gain ground on the leaders, then with a four-wide move coming into the stretch, was on nearly even terms with Bella Ballerina. After a short tussle, Life of Joy put her away and strode clearly with authority to finish in 1:42.27, just a tick off the track record.
“We wanted to freshen her up a little bit after running into a really good filly (second to Zany in last month’s Suncoast S.) last time, and we thought we’d get a good set up here today, and we did, and she executed,” trainer Brad Cox said. “The next test will be nine furlongs (in the Kentucky Oaks), but she’s shown us in the mornings we think she can get that trip – hopefully we’ll get the set up.”
Life of Joy, who won her debut by 14 ¾-lengths and then took the Rags to Riches S. at Churchill Downs, is now 3-1-0 in five starts and has earned $420,620 for owners Will Stroud, Andrew Farm, Mountmellick Farm and For the People Racing Stable LLC.
Life of Joy was bred in Kentucky by Springhouse Farm and is the first foal out of stakes-placed Jordan’s Leo. Her third dam Jeanne Jones won the Fantasy S. (G1) and was second in the Kentucky Oaks.
Gun Runner, who won both the Risen Star S. (G2) and the Louisiana Derby (G2), has sired 57 stakes winners and 37 individual graded stakes winners. He is also the sire of leading Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders Paladin and Further Ado, and additional Oaks contenders Meaning and Search Party.
