ARCADIA, Calif. --- Life got sweeter for Life Is Sweet without her daunting stablemate Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic. After fruitlessly chasing the undefeated mare in three previous races, Life Is Sweet found the winner's circle.

Garrett Gomez guided her from last -- more than 17 lengths behind -- to a 21/2-length victory in Friday's $2 million race at Santa Anita. Life Is Sweet was one of four long shots to win on the opening day of the 26th annual event.

"It was exhilarating," co-owner Marty Wygod said.

The 4-year-old filly shares the barn of defending champion Zenyatta, who stayed in her stall resting ahead of today's $5 million Classic against the boys. She will put her 13-0 winning streak on the line in the 11/4-mile race.

Both horses are trained by John Shirreffs for different owners.

"I was glad she was able to get it done today," Shirreffs said. "She really deserves this. She had been coming into this race really great."

Life Is Sweet ran 1e miles in 1:48.58 and paid $18.20, $8 and $5 at 8-1 odds.

Careless Jewel, the 9-5 wagering favorite, romped to an early nine-length lead before fading to last in the field of eight.

American horses won four of the day's six races, with jockey Julien Leparoux riding two winners on a day that went off without incident to horses or riders.

Man of Iron opened the card with a thrilling nose victory over 9-year-old gelding Cloudy's Knight in the $500,000 Marathon, the day's only race featuring males.

Rosemary Homeister Jr. barely missed becoming the second woman to ride a Breeders' Cup winner, losing the photo finish by a bob of her gelding's head.

Midday gave Europe its other victory, winning the $2 million Filly & Mare Turf by a length and snapping an 0 for 6 streak in the Breeders' Cup by veteran European trainer Henry Cecil.

She Be Wild charged along the rail to win the $2 million Juvenile Fillies by three-quarters of a length under Leparoux.

The $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf was won by Tapitsfly, who held off Rose Catherine by a half-length.

Informed Decision won the $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint by 11/4 lengths over defending champion Ventura, giving Leparoux his other win.