It was a big win for CATHOLIC BOY’s Faith Understood at Keeneland on the opening day of the meet when the Jonathan Thomas-trained filly broke her maiden at the track.
Making her second start in the Keeneland Maiden Special Weight over 1 3/16 miles on the turf, she wasn’t willing to move far from the leader. She kept the pressure on that runner throughout the run before entering a duel around the far turn.
Gaining a slight advantage in the upper stretch, she swapped the lead back and forth with the longtime leader before that one gave in near the line. Another runner came running late but Faith Understood was able to keep her head in front and earn a maiden victory.
The 3-year-old is a homebred for Robert LaPenta out of the stakes-placed Zia, who is one of three stakes performers out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Faux Pas. That mare also produced stakes winner San Souci Island, who is the dam or granddam of four other stakes performers.
Those on her page also includes champion Sky Lantern, Group 1 winner Snow Lantern, and Grade 2 winner Selflessly.
This is the 21st winner for CATHOLIC BOY, with his runners including six stakes performers and led by a stakes winner.