SANTA Anita, March, Derby trial, Bob Baffert. It was all fairly predictable that the favourite Life Is Good would win last Saturday’s Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes but he did so in the manner that suggests he is a worthy contender for the Kentucky Derby, following in the footsteps of the trainer’s most recent Churchill Downs heroes, Justify and Authentic.

In the colours of the China Horse Club and joint-owned by WinStar Farms, the son of Into Mischief came home eight lengths clear of another Baffert runner in Medina Spirit, covering the mile and a sixteenth in 1m 42.18secs. He earned a 107 Beyer Speed figure for the effort and jumped to Kentucky Derby favouritism.