Sainthood

A $62,000 purchase at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale in October 2019, Sainthood made his career debut for trainer Todd Pletcher at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 9, 2021. He recovered nicely from a bad break, then battled in the stretch to finish second by a head.

For his second start, Pletcher shipped Sainthood to Fair Grounds for a maiden special weight race around two turns on Feb. 13. He set the early pace and held on to win by a nose, covering the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.26.

Pletcher next tested the Mshawish colt against stakes competition in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks March 27 on the synthetic Tapeta Footings surface at Turfway Park, where Sainthood more than held his own in a runner-up finish. The second earned Sainthood 40 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve.

In the Kentucky Derby, Sainthood saved ground early and had a decent trip but faded late and finished 11th in the 19-horse field. He bounced back in his next start in the May 29 Peninne Ridge Stakes at Belmont Park, which was moved from the grass to a sloppy main track, as Sainthood was headed by The Reds in early stretch but fought back valiantly to prevail by a length.

Stakes-placed winner Lemon Hero, by Lemon Drop Kid, is the dam (mother) of Sainthood.