Creative Cause filly storms home to take Intercontinental S. (G3)


Significant Form’s stellar stretch run in Thursday’s $200,000 Intercontinental S. (G3) at Belmont Park earned the 4-year-old Creative Cause filly her second career graded victory and third overall stakes win.

Unhurried out of the gate, Significant Form was about five lengths off the lead through the first half-mile in :45.99. Still under a stout hold at the top of the stretch, she found an opening along the inside, then with a daring move, split horses about 50 yards before the wire to win by a half-length over Fire Key in 1:19.83 for the seven furlongs on the firm turf. The winning time was about a half-second from the track record.

“I had so much horse, so I knew that whatever hole I could make, I was going to get through,” said winning rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. “I just waited there and was patient and tried to make the right decision with her. It worked out well.” 

The winner is owned by Stephanie Seymour Brant and was bred by Brereton C. Jones. She sold for $575,000 at the 2017 OBS Spring Sale of 2-year-olds.

Pedigree Notes from the TDN

Significant Form is out of the unraced Harlan’s Holiday mare Church By the Sea, who is a half-sister to GSW & GISP Hellow Liberty (Forest Camp) and GISP Pious Ashley (Include). Her first foal was Grade III-winning turfer Hay Dakota and her recent produce include the 2-year-old filly Seastone (Cairo Prince), purchased by Stoneway Farm for $300,000 at FTKOCT.