Living Magic’s PARX debut 1st Justify North American 2 yo starter 2023

Living Magic (KY) chilling @FairHillTrainingCenter

Living Magic, a 2 yo filly by Triple Crown Winning Sire #Justify o/o Multiple Graded Stakes Winning Mare Living the Life, makes her career debut @PARX on Monday, May 1st, in a 4.5 furlong dirt sprint against 7 other first time starters. Just to spice things up, Living Magic (KY) is Justify’s first 2yo starter in North America from his second crop born in 2021.

Living Magic (KY) 16’1″ filly by Justify heading for track for #PhilSchoenthal

#LivingMagic, born on January 22nd, 2021, is a homebred for Hank Nothhaft’s HnR Nothhaft Horse Racing LLC. Living Magic (KY) was foaled and raised @Coolmore America in Versailles, KY, under the watchful eye of Brian Tormey and his staff. Her name derives from her mare (Living the Life (IRE), and the first dam of Justify, Stage Magic. Living the Life was campaigned by Hank Nothhaft, a native of PA, and raced in PA three times @PresqueIsleDowns in Erie, PA, winning the Grade 2 Master’s Stakes twice with one 2nd place finish. Since Living the Life was so effective on the A/W surfaces, it is often overlooked that LTL is Graded Stakes placed on the dirt, as well as a winner on the turf. LTL started 4 times as a 2 yo in the UK, winning one, 2nd once, all on the turf. It seems fitting that Living Magic (KY) would race first time out in the Keystone State.

Justify and Hank Discussing future plans

In late summer 2022, Living Magic (KY) shipped to VA for initial training and VA certification at Karen Godsey’s @EaglePointFarm. Once initial training and VA certification was complete, Living Magic (KY) shipped to Phil Schoenthal’s barn @FairHillTrainingCenter in Elkton, MD.

Living Magic and Living the Life (IRE) Feb 5 2021
Living Magic 10 days old with Living the Life (IRE) @CoolmoreAmerica

Given her size, 16’1″ hands, training proceeded with caution and the thought that large horses generally take more time to “come around” and are often subject to minor setbacks that delays their first start. Living Magic (KY) proceeded to train forwardly .According to trainer Phil Schoenthal “Living Magic (KY) has never had a bad day since she has been here.” As her training has proceeded uninterrupted, Jockey Victor Carrasco has been on board for Living Magic (KY) timed works at FAI.

Living Magic galloping at Fair Hill Elkton MD

Once Living Magic (KY) was gate certified and fit for a 4/5-5 fl 2yo MSW, options were weighed for her first start. Various tracks were evaluated for her first start. Hank, in particular wanted to avoid a long ship before her first start. Laurel Park was designated the primary target. Once the track issues at Laurel scrambled the racing schedule there, PARX became the most attractive destination. No one knows what career awaits Living Magic (KY), but she has shown a lot of talent and competitive fire in works so far. If Living Magic (KY) can avoid the injury bug, a successful career likely awaits her. Monday will be a first step.

Author: Henry Nothhaft

Owner of HnR Nothhaft Horseracing LLC Check out Hank's biography on Linked-In www.linkedin.com/in/henryrnothhaft