Gospel Way is First Winner for Brody's Cause

William Thompson Jr.'s homebred Gospel Way defeated a field of seven other 2-year-olds in his first start June 28 to become the first winner for Brody's Cause , who stands at Spendthrift Farm.

Trained by Nathan Squires, Gospel Way settled in third under jockey Emile Ramsammy in the five-furlong maiden test at Woodbine and then drove home in the stretch run to win by 1 1/4 lengths in :58.37 on the all-weather track.

Out of the Pulpit mare Bible Belt, Gospel Way is a half brother to two other winners, including 2017 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) third Hardworkcleanlivin.

Campaigned by owner Albaugh Family Stables and trainer Dale Romans, Brody's Cause captured his biggest victories in Keeneland's Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at 2 and Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at 3, joining Carpe Diem as the only horses to win both of Keeneland's top races for 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds on dirt since Round Table in 1957.

In the Breeders' Futurity, Brody's Cause outran Exaggerator  in the stretch to post a one-length victory over the eventual Preakness Stakes (G1) and betfair.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) winner. He closed his 2-year-old season with a fast-closing third in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) behind winner and champion Nyquist .

As a 3-year-old, Brody's Cause became a millionaire in the Blue Grass and earned a berth into the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), where he finished seventh. He was retired with earnings of $1,168,138 after a sixth-place finish in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1).

In 2020, the son of Giant's Causeway stood for $7,500.