Chelsea Durand Photo

Life in Shambles puts it all together in G3 Fall Highweight

by Keith McCalmont

Ara Aprahamian's Life in Shambles made the grade with a strong late kick to win Thanksgiving Thursday's Grade 3, $200,000 Fall Highweight at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

Trained by Jason Servis and patiently piloted by Irad Ortiz, Jr., the 7-year-old Broken Vow gelding collared the dueling Heartwood and Always Sunshine late in the lane to capture the six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and upwards. 

A veteran of 41 career starts, Life in Shambles, who finished third in this event last year, needed all of his experience to break through in graded company for the first time.

 "The trip was perfect. Two horses went ahead, and he just sat off and then went ahead. He ran a really good race. The fractions were OK. I knew they'd come back. We expected him to run good, and he did. He's a warrior. He's been there before. I think his experience helped him a lot," said assistant trainer Henry Argueta.

Always Sunshine blasted out of the gate for Jose Ortiz, marking the opening quarter in 22.69 seconds and the half-mile in 46.27 while under pressure from Heartwood. Life in Shambles, settled comfortably in fourth position outside of mutuel favorite Runaway Lute, advanced with strong strides through the turn as Always Sunshine and Heartwood continued their pace battle. 

The front-running duo continued a dogged struggle down the lane, with Heartwood edging clear of his rival, but there was no denying the onrushing Life in Shambles, who found his best stride late to secure a 3/4 length win. Life in Shambles covered six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:12.07.

Ortiz, Jr., was pleased with the trip he engineered for the hard-knocking grey.

 "I got a perfect trip. He broke good. He put me in a good position, and he was right where I wanted when I asked him. Turning for home, he just ran really well," said Ortiz, Jr.

 Heartwood completed the exacta in front of a game Always Sunshine. Celtic Chaos, Runaway Lute and Win With Pride completed the order of finish.

 Bred in Kentucky by C. Clement and Don. M. Robinson, Life in Shambles banked $115,500 in victory while improving his record to 10-7-4.

Command Post, Lewisfield and Mesotherm were scratched.