Life Is Better returned fresh from a layoff to win the featured $5,200 Preferred 4 Handicap Pace at Leamington Raceway on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 18).

Back in action after a month-long break with the hot-handed Scott Wray in the bike, Life Is Better left last week's winner Maddys Credit (Natasha Day) parked from the outside as he clicked off fractions of :27.4, :58 and 1:28.3 then scooted away down the stretch as that rival dropped out of contention. Phone In (Garrett Rooney) closed from the back of the six-pack to finish second, 2-1/2 lengths behind the 1:58.1 winner, while Dance Machine (Christopher Johnston) snagged third prize over the pocket-sitting Its Eds Idea (Nick Steward).

Life Is Better, who won Leamington's Preferred 4 class on Aug. 7 and missed by just a head last time out on Aug. 14, was the 3-5 favourite and paid $3.50 to win.

A homebred son of Betterthancheddar, Life It Better has won eight of his 20 starts this year for trainer Kenneth Mathieson, who shares ownership with Henry Banakiewicz. The victory was the pacer's 21st lifetime and bumped his bankroll to $121,441.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Leamington Raceway.