Gift Box

Breaking his maiden in his second start, Gift Box was stepped up in his next start to Grade 2 company. That move earned him Kentucky Derby points when he finished third three lengths behind Mohaymen in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes.

As it turned out, Gift Box did not make the 2016 Triple Crown races but did finish a distant fourth in the Travers Stakes for trainer Chad Brown. In 2017, he raced four times, finishing second thrice. Then in 2018, the now 5-year-old horse returned to finish second by a nose in February in an Aqueduct allowance, and next score a blowout 8 ¾-length win at the same track in March.

He was sidelined yet again only to resurface in California for new trainer John Sadler and owner Hronis Racing. Competing in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes, Gift Box rallied three-wide and outfinished Grade 1 winner Battle of Midway to win by a half-length and pick up his first stakes victory.

Gift Box then stepped up and handled another challenge in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on April 6. He outdueled Grade 1 winner McKinzie through a thrilling stretch drive to prevail by a nose and secure his first top-level win.

Aiming for a third consecutive graded stakes win at Santa Anita, Gift Box battled 2018 Wood Memorial Presented by NYRA Bets winner Vino Rosso through the stretch but settled for second in the May 27 Gold Cup at Santa Anita, beaten by three quarters of a length. He then shipped to Kentucky for the June 15 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs and finished fourth.

Gift Box did not race again until 2019 was almost over, but he returned none the worse for wear on opening day Dec. 28 at Santa Anita Park to post a repeat win in the San Antonio Stakes in an impressive performance, drawing clear in the stretch to score by 3 ¾ lengths.

By young stallion Twirling Candy, Gift Box is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Stonetastic.