Creative Cause has one of the more exciting 2-year-olds of 2016 in the flashy dark bay colt Running Mate, who scored his second straight commanding win in a six-furlong allowance race Nov. 25 at Fair Grounds.
As he did in his six-length maiden win Oct. 5 at Delaware Park, the Larry Jones trainee came out of the gate at Fair Grounds full of run, zipping through the first quarter in :22.63, the half mile in :46.46, then finishing up the six panels in 1:10.52 while winning by 7 3/4-lengths as the overwhelming 1-5 favorite.
“It was very similar to the first time,” Jones affirmed. “He’s not super-fast out of the gate, but when he runs two turns, he’ll look like he has a lot of speed. With that pedigree and Creative Cause being a full-brother to Destin, who was second in the Belmont (Stakes), I think he’ll stretch out nicely.
“All looks good for him,” Jones continued. “The main thing is that they’re not asking him to do it, he’s doing it all on his own and both races have been fast with good times. We’re excited and we think we’re back in the picture.”
Jones confirmed that Running Mate, the first foal out of Street Mate will point to the $50,000 Sugar Bowl S. on Dec. 17, before aiming for the Triple Crown Trail in the $200,000 Lecomte S. (G3) on Jan. 21.
Running Mate, named a TDN Rising Star after his debut win, is one of Creative Cause’s 15 winners from his first crop, helping him to the fifth spot on the 2016 Freshman Sire list. Creative Cause will stand next year at Airdrie Stud for a fee of $15,000 live foal guarantee.
