**Learn about ALL of the 2012 contenders by getting our Kentucky Derby Guide**
Creative Cause
(Starts: 8 Win: 4 Place: 2 Show: 2 Earnings: $869,000)
Trainer: Mike Harrington (10.6%)
Jockey: Joel Rosario (20.7%)
THE CONNECTIONS: Creative Cause is trained by former veterinarian Mike Harrington. Never seen without his trademark cowboy hat, Harrington has conditioned top runners like Grade I Hollywood Futurity winner Swiss Yodeler and Grade II Norfolk Stakes winner Buck Trout. Both were owned by Creative’s Cause’s owner, Heinz Steinmann.
Jockey Joel Rosario is a relatively new rider from the Dominican Republic that has quickly surged to the top of the nation’s most competitive riding colony in southern California. His best win came aboard Dancing in Silks at huge odds in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. In his first Kentucky Derby, 2010, he was fourth at astronomical odds aboard Make Music For Me.
THE HORSE: Creative Cause quickly showed us that he would be a force as a sophomore when he crushed the competition in his Hollywood Park debut. His best run as a juvenile came in the Grade I Norfolk Stakes where he was an easy winner over Grade I Del Mar Futurity winner Drill. He ended the year with a good third place finish in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Creative Cause’s 2012 campaign began with a surprising defeat in the Grade II San Vicente Stakes. That race proved too short at seven furlongs and he rebounded with a winning effort in the Grade II San Felipe Stakes that is among the best of any horse this year. His last race, the Santa Anita Derby, saw him surge up the rail to just miss for the win.
THE PEDIGREE: Sire Giant’s Causeway stands for $85,000 at America’s best breeding operation, Ashford Stud. He was a multiple Group I winning son of Storm Cat that has thrown horses more than capable of racing at ten furlongs. His best progeny include Grade I Santa Anita Handicap winner Heatseeker and Grade I Wood Memorial champ Eskendereya. The dam, Dream of Summer, won the Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap. Her sire, Siberian Summer, won the Grade II Strub Stakes, which at that time was a ten furlong race. If Creative Cause does not win the Derby it will not be for a lack of stamina.
CONCLUSION: Creative Cause is a stalker that could benefit from things getting a bit too hectic on the front end. If he is still the same horse that won the San Felipe Stakes two starts ago then he will give his competition a big run for their money.
PEDIGREE GRADE: A
OVERALL GRADE: A
FAIR ODDS: 10-1
**Learn about ALL of the 2012 contenders by getting our Kentucky Derby Guide**