Sweetnorthernsaint

American bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Sweetnorthernsaint is a Thoroughbred race horse. A Florida foal of March 2003, he was a top contender for the Triple Crown in 2006. Late in his two year old season, he was very hard to handle, so his owners had him gelded. He lost his only start as a two year old, finishing 12th in a maiden race on the turf at Colonial Downs.

In his three year old season, Sweetnorthernsaint trained at Laurel Park Racecourse in Maryland for trainer Michael Trombetta. He broke his maiden at Laurel in his first race of the year but was disqualified and placed fourth. He then shipped to Aqueduct Racecourse and won a second higher purse maiden race and then went straight into stakes races. Sweetnorthernsaint broke the stakes record in the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Park Racecourse, winning by ten lengths over his eight rivals. In the Gotham Stakes, he was too keen early and finished third. At Chicago's speed favoring Hawthorne Race Course, Sweetnorthernsaint won the $500,000 grade two Illinois Derby by 9 ½ lengths as he passed pacesetting Mister Triester at the top of the stretch, stamping his ticket for the Kentucky Derby. He completed the 1 1/8 mile assignment in 1 minute and 49 4/5 seconds to earn the winner's share of $300,000 for owners Joseph J. Balsamo and Ted Theos. The race earned him a 107 Beyer Speed Figure, which was the highest recorded that year by a three year old. As the gates opened, Sweetnorthernsaint assumed the role as post time favorite in the Kentucky Derby. He was close to the lead on a very fast pace. Barbaro, winner of the Florida Derby, won by six lengths as Sweetnorthernsaint faded to sixth in the full field of twenty colts. Two weeks later in the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, Barbaro went off as an odds on favorite. He broke through the gate prior to the bell and was re loaded. Less than an eighth mile out of the gate, Barbaro pulled up. Sweetnorthernsaint led for most of the race, but eventual Eclipse champion Bernardini passed him around the far turn and won. Sweetnorthernsaint placed second in front of his home town crowd. After the Preakness, Sweetnorthernsaint won an allowance race at Laurel and the Odessa Stakes at Delaware Park Racetrack.

As a four year old (2007), Sweetnorthernsaint won the H. E. Johnson Memorial Handicap at 9 furlongs at his home track, Laurel Park. He also finished second in the grade three National Jockey Club Handicap at 9 furlongs at Hawthorne, the grade three Lone Star Park Handicap in Grande Prairie, Texas, at 8.5 furlongs, and the grade three Hal's Hope Handicap at 8 furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In 2008, as a five year old, Sweetnorthernsaint won the Primal Stakes at Calder Race Course at 8.5 furlongs. As a six year old, the gelding won the 2009 edition of the Wadsworth Memorial Handicap at 9 furlongs at Finger Lakes Race Track.

Sweetnorthernsaint is owned by Joseph Balsamo and Ted Theos and trained by Michael Trombetta. He is ridden by Kent Desormeaux and was bred in Florida by Eduardo Azpurura.

Sweetnorthernsaint is s son of Sweetsouthernsaint, out of the mare Ice Beauty. To date, he has started thirteen times and won six of his races.

TrackRaceDistanceFinish Finger Lakes Race TrackWadsworth Memorial Handicap1 1/8 miles1stCalder Race CoursePrimal Stakes1 1/161stLaurel ParkHarrison E. Johnson Memorial Handicap1 1/81stHawthorne Race CourseNational Jockey Club Handicap (Grade 3)1 1/82ndLone Star ParkLone Star Park Handicap (Grade 3)1 1/162ndGulfstream ParkHal's Hope Handicap (Grade 3)1 mile2ndGulfstream ParkSunshine Millions Classic1 1/85thDelaware Park RacetrackOdessa Stakes1 1/161stLaurel Park (race track)Allowance Race1 1/81stPimlico Race CoursePreakness Stakes (Grade 1)1 3/162ndChurchill DownsKentucky Derby (Grade 1)1 1/47thHawthorne Race CourseIllinois Derby (Grade 2)1 1/81stAqueduct RacetrackGotham Stakes (Grade 3)1 1/163rdLaurel Park Miracle Wood Stakes1 mile1stAqueduct RacetrackMaiden6 furlongs1stLaurel Park (race track)Maiden Claiming6 furlongs4th (DQ from 1st)Colonial DownsMaiden (turf)1 mile12th