One of Southern California's principal Kentucky Derby hopefuls in 2012, Creative Cause started his career in the summer of 2011 at Hollywood Park. Bred by James C. Weigel and owned by Heinz J. Steinmann, Creative Cause made it to the winners' circle on his first try, and that kicked off a campaign that saw him win or place in all of his starts as a two-year-old.

Competing solely in stakes company after graduating, the gray/roan Mike Harrington trainee promptly captured the Grade II Best Pal at Del Mar before placing in the Grade I Del Mar Futurity. Being a son of Giant's Causeway, it seemed that Creative Cause would benefit from routing, and he confirmed as much by winning the Grade I Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita before concluding the year with a third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. In what was a consistent first season, Creative Cause earned himself a spot as a finalist for Outstanding Juvenile at the Eclipse Awards for his work.

Building on his 2011 success, Creative Cause established himself as one of Southern California's top Kentucky Derby prospects. A third in the Grade II San Vicente Stakes prepared him for a nice win in the Grade II San Felipe, again showing he was fine routing (and he galloped out alongside the winner in the San Vicente after crossing the wire, another indicator he could handle more distance). His prep season concluded with a second in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby after a hard-fought battle with future classic winner I'll Have Another.

Back in action a month later at Churchill Downs, Creative Cause was part of the twenty horse field for the 138th Kentucky Derby. In his prior races, Creative Cause liked to stay within a couple lengths of the pace, tracking the leaders before making a move to the front. However, he was taken out of his normal approach on the first Saturday in May. Well behind the leaders early, Creative Cause fought back, getting as high as third late in the race after a very wide trip into the stretch. The end result was a fifth, but he actually delivered a fine performance under the Twin Spires given the circumstances.

He always appeared relaxed on race day, but Creative Cause possessed a quiet, steely determination that was evident in how he finished races. He always went for the best result, whether it was a win or not.

Two weeks after the Run for the Roses, Creative Cause was in Maryland for the Preakness. That race went much better as he employed his usual tactics by staying close to the leader. In contention for much of the way, Creative Cause did not get the win, but he took home a third place finish to salvage a good result after missing out on the Derby.

The Preakness turned out to be Creative Cause's last start before being retired. In a ten race career, Creative Cause won four races, notched a pair of seconds, and finished third three times while earning just north of $1 million.

Now residing at Airdrie Stud, Creative Cause has sired multiple graded stakes champions like Identifier, My Boy Jack and Significant Form (all Grade III winners). He also has a Grade I winner in Pavel, who captured the 2018 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs.

A successful horse on a prominent circuit during his racing career, Creative Cause might just make a name for himself in the coming years as a stallion.