Horse of the Year SAINT LIAM (Saint Ballado), who died after just one season
at stud, was represented by his first winner when Draw a Blank captured the 1ST
race at Presque Isle Downs on Wednesday. The Timothy Hamm-trained juvenile miss
pressed the early pace, took over in the stretch and held on for a neck score
beneath Huber Villa-Gomez. The chestnut filly — running in the colors of
Blazing Meadows Farm, Larry Lehman and Jim Messanger — ran five furlongs on the
Tapeta in :57 4/5.
Campaigned throughout his career by Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren Jr., Saint
Liam flashed talent at three for Tony Reinstedler. The bay broke his maiden in
his second start, and later that season, placed second in the Iowa Derby.
Saint Liam only reached the peak of his powers as an older horse, becoming a
star under the tutelage of Richard Dutrow. At four, he placed in three straight
graded events. Saint Liam just missed by a head in the 2004 New Orleans H. (G2),
defeating Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Funny Cide; finished third in the Oaklawn
H. (G2); and returned from a nearly five-month layoff to press Horse of the Year
Ghostzapper in an epic renewal of the Woodward S. (G1), where he was narrowly
outdueled in a blistering 1:46 1/5 for nine furlongs at Belmont Park. He
concluded his season on a high note, earning his first stakes victory in the
Clark H. (G2).
The following year, Saint Liam would take home Horse of the Year honors along
with the Eclipse Award for champion older male. He kicked off his 2005 campaign
with a 3 3/4-length triumph in the Donn H. (G1). Finishing second was subsequent
Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) winner Roses in May, while Eddington, the future hero
of the Pimlico Special (G1), checked in third.
After an uncharacteristic sixth in the Santa Anita H. (G1), Saint Liam got
back on track with an impressive tally in the Stephen Foster H. (G1). He next
ventured to Saratoga, only to learn first-hand of its reputation as the
graveyard of champions. Sent off as the 3-5 choice in the Whitney H. (G1), Saint
Liam was unable to catch a loose-on-the-lead Commentator (Distorted Humor),
giving him six pounds and falling a neck short at the wire.
Dutrow did not want a repeat of the Whitney next time out in the Woodward,
and he accordingly deployed a rabbit to keep Commentator busy. The strategy
worked to perfection. Saint Liam strolled home by two lengths, with Commentator
tiring to a remote third. Making his final start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic
(G1) at Belmont, he rallied to a one-length decision, and wrapped up the Horse
of the Year title.
Saint Liam retired with $4,456,995 in earnings from his 20-9-6-1 line. He
entered stud in 2006 at Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, Kentucky. That August,
he fractured his left hind leg while being led to his paddock, and with the
injury being too severe for surgery to fix, he was euthanized.
Bred by Edward P. Evans in Kentucky, Saint Liam was out of the stakes-winning
and Grade 2-placed Quiet Dance (Quiet American). He was a half-brother to Grade
3 victor Congressionalhonor (Forestry) and current sophomore American Dance (A.P.
Indy), who was third in the Remsen S. (G2) last fall. He hailed from the family
of Minstrella (The Minstrel), the 1986 champion two-year-old in Ireland, and the
dam of Grade 2 winner and stakes producer Colonial Minstrel (Pleasant Colony).
Saint Liam’s fifth dam, Hall of Famer Gallorette (*Challenger II), was named
champion handicap mare in 1946. Gallorette came from the same family as 1935
Triple Crown legend Omaha (Gallant Fox); Ascot Gold Cup and Champion S. hero
Flares (Gallant Fox); champion Jacola (*Jacopo), herself the dam of 1947
champion three-year-old colt Phalanx (Pilate); and Johnstown (Jamestown), winner
of the 1939 Kentucky Derby and Belmont S.