More Than Ready sired his 152nd stakes winner when Life Imitates Art produced a determined rally to take the G3 Dania Beach Stakes (1500m) in Florida on Saturday.
His three year-old colt advanced along the rails to edge out Isotherm by a head at Gulfstream Park. “It worked out perfectly,” jockey Joel Rosario said. “I had a lot of horse and tried to save some ground. He tried really hard.”
Isotherm was always travelling strongly and looked a certain winner until Life Imitates Art split runners in the straight and would not be denied. The runner-up is a Kentucky bred son of Lonhro from More Than Ready mare Game for More.
Life Imitates Art (3c More Than Ready – Habiboo by Unbridled’s Song) had been in the frame at his first four starts starting with a second at Saratoga in July. He was runner-up again (to Isotherm) at the Spa in August prior to winning on protest at Belmont in October.
Most recently, he was beaten a neck in the LR Pulpit Stakes at Gulfstream Park on November 28. “He’s really putting it together,” trainer Chad Brown said. “Joel gave him a great ground-saving trip. We’ve always thought he was one of our better horses and now we will head to the turf series here at Gulfstream.”
Those targets include the LR Kitten’s Joy Stakes on January 30 and G3 Palm Beach Stakes on February 27.
Life Imitates Art has banked $150,750 for Klaravich Stables and Bill Lawrence after changing hands for $175,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale. His dam Habiboo won four races and was stakes placed in the G2 Belmont First Flight Hcp and G3 Monmouth Park Oaks. She is a half-sister to Darley shuttler Street Boss.
More Than Ready began the weekend with LR La Trice Classic (1800m) winner Ideal Image at Ascot on Saturday. The Bob Peters homebred had claimed earlier Listed victories in the Burgess Queen Stakes and Jungle Dawn Classic.
Ideal Image is an older sister to last-start G1 Kingston Town Stakes winner Perfect Reflection.
More Than Ready has 18 yearlings catalogued for the Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling sale including 7 on account of home base Vinery Stud
