NEWS
Draw a Blank first winner for Saint Liam
Posted: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 10:54 PM
Draw a Blank outfinished runner-up Golden Guilder by a neck to win the opening race on Wednesday night at Presque Isle Downs and become the first career winner for deceased freshman sire and 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam.
After finishing third in her career debut for trainer Tim Hamm and owners Blazing Meadows Farm, Larry Lehman Stable, and Jim Messanger, Draw a Blank completed five furlongs in :57.80 on the synthetic Tapeta Footings surface under Huber Villa-Gomez. Bred in Pennsylvania by Daniel Ryan, Draw a Blank is a half sister to multiple Group 2-placed stakes winner Parole Board and multiple stakes winner Remain Silent.
Saint Liam was euthanized after fracturing his left hind leg while being led to his paddock at Lane's End in Versailles, Kentucky, in August 2006. By Saint Ballado out of Grade 2-placed stakes winner Quiet Dance, by Quiet American, Saint Liam stood his only season at stud for $50,000 at Lane’s End. A half brother to Grade 3 winner Congressionalhonor, Saint Liam has 98 two-year-olds in his only crop.
Saint Liam flashed his potential in 2004 when he finished second, beaten by a neck, after a thrilling stretch duel with eventual Horse of the Year Ghostzapper in the Woodward Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park. The following season it was Saint Liam who would cement his place in the record books with a 2005 Horse of the Year campaign that included victories in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1), Stephen Foster Handicap (G1), Donn Handicap (G1), and Woodward Stakes for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. and owners William K. and Suzanne Warren. Saint Liam also was named 2005 champion older male.
Bred in Kentucky by Edward P. Evans, Saint Liam amassed nine wins in 20 starts and bankrolled $4,456,995 in three seasons.
