Sainthood captures Pennine Ridge (G3) for first stakes win

WinStar Farm and CHC Inc’s Sainthood won a spirited stretch duel over The Reds to win the $200,000 Pennine Ridge S. (G3) Saturday at Belmont Park.

Originally scheduled for the turf, the 1 1/8-mile race was moved to the main track due to prolonged rain in the area.

Sainthood was making his first start since the May 1st Kentucky Derby (G1). Away first in the field of five 3-year-olds, Sainthood, Shawdyshawdyshawdy and The Reds dueled for the top spot through six furlongs in 1:12.52. The Reds took the lead in upper stretch, but Sainthood battled back to take over for good in the final sixteenth.

The winner finished in 1:50.57 over the sloppy going.

“He handled it [the slop] well. He broke on top and I was just looking to follow somebody,” winning rider Joel Rosario said. “He was moving really well and I know the other horse [The Reds] had the jump on me, but I kept riding and I was hoping he would fight back and he did.”

Prior to the Derby, Sainthood was second after a rough trip in the Jeff Ruby S. (G3). His lifetime mark now stands at 2-2-0 in five starts, with earnings of $201,900.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said Sainthood could make his next start on the turf in the $1 million Belmont Derby (G1) July 10 at Belmont.
“We got a good prep for it if we decide to go that way,” Pletcher said. “It’s good to have a horse with this many options. We’ll talk to the team and come up with a plan, but that will be towards the top of the list.”