Posts Tagged ‘quality road’

‘Pave’ the way for Quality Road

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

Sometimes it’s best to stop and think before saying anything and that’s the approach we’ve taken after this weekend’s Florida Derby in which Quality Road broke the track record for 1 1/8 mile distance.

Now that the dirt has settled, was the speed favoring surface at Gulfstream Park unfair to Dunkirk as Todd Pletcher implied after the race? And what does it mean for Quality Road in the Kentucky Derby?

During the week leading up to the race there was speculation that Pletcher would run Europe to ensure a fast early pace. Europe may be fast but there was no way a second time maiden starter would have been the right rabbit for Dunkirk who had won his only two starts from off the pace against maiden and allowance runners. Europe stayed in the barn.

Off two strong performances, Dunkirk was favorite to beat Quality Road and stamp his ticket to the Kentucky Derby. But, it wasn’t to be and the road was ‘paved’ a different way on Saturday where two track records were broken in one day over a Gulfstream Park surface that has favored speed all meet long.

In the Swale Stakes, Big Drama set a new record for seven furlongs as he outdueled This Ones for Phil only to be disqualified and placed second. Nevertheless, the final time of 1:20.88 was a forecast of things to come for Pletcher.

In the Florida Derby, Quality Road stalked in second before assuming command around the far turn. At the top of the stretch, Garrett Gomez had moved Dunkirk to within a length of the leader and that’s when John Velasquez called on Quality Road and he responded. Pletcher watched Dunkirk’s chance at the Kentucky Derby speed away from him.

The second place finish in the Florida Derby earned Dunkirk $150,000 in graded stakes money but it probably won’t be enough to get him into the Kentucky Derby and another shot at Quality Road — until the Preakness.

There is no doubt that Quality Road is good. His sire, Elusive Quality, has already produced the 2004 Kentucky Derby winner, Smarty Jones. We know he has speed and the stamina to go 1 1/8 miles, but this years group of three year olds are better then those Smarty Jones faced as the stalking speed over the sloppy Churchill surface on that first Saturday in May 2004.

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Posted in Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park, Kentucky Derby, Santa Anita | No Comments »

All eyes on Dunkirk in Florida Derby

Friday, March 27th, 2009

There’s nine entered for tomorrow’s Florida Derby as Dunkirk faces off with Quality Road and Theregoesjojo in an attempt to earn enough money to qualify for the starting line-up in this year’s Kentucky Derby.

Dunkirk, who didn’t race at two, will need to win tomorrow’s race to gain the lion’s share of $450,000 and virtually guarantee him a spot on the first Saturday in May.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, who has entered Europe to aid Dunkirk in his quest, is still looking for his first Kentucky Derby winner.

With only $43K in earning, Dunkirk appears to be facing exclusion but don’t count on it. His two races at Gulfstream were spectacular and this son of Unbridled’s Song looks like he can run all day.

Lookout!

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Posted in Gulfstream Park, Kentucky Derby | No Comments »

The Florida Derby is this weeks big race

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

As the first Saturday in May approaches the race is tightening for this years best three year olds trying to get into the Kentucky Derby.

The biggest race of the week is the $750,000 Florida Derby. A Grade I
event for Three Year Olds going One Mile And One Eighth.

Over the past few years we’ve seen the Kentucky Derby winner prep in the Florida Derby, including last years winner, Big Brown, who was impressive in winning from the 12 hole.

This years contestants appear to be strong once again as Dunkirk and Quality Road are set to face off in what should be a great race.

We’ll handicap the race and bring you the top selections when the Daily Racing Form past performances are published.

In the news, trainer John Ward announced today that Beethoven will not compete in the Florida Derby as planned and will be pointed to the summer races. Beethoven had won the Kentucky Jockey Club stakes at Churchill last year as a two year old. The purse money for the KJC was reduced so that Beethoven’s total graded money earned probably wouldn’t be enough to get into the Kentucky Derby without a strong placing in the Florida Derby. Ward commented that ‘it’s ironic that a race held in England would guarantee a spot in the Kentucky Derby but Beethoven, who had won the KJC, might not get in.’

Nevertheless, Beethoven developed a slight tendon injury which sidelines him until the summer.

Stay tuned for the picks later in the week.

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Posted in Gulfstream Park, Kentucky Derby | No Comments »

Quality Road Adds Lasix To Win Fountain Of Youth

Saturday, February 28th, 2009

Quality Road was being touted as a Derby contender early in the season after winning his maiden start at 6 1/2 furlongs. In that race he earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure but was bet down and beaten by Theregoesjojo as the heavy favorite to open his three year old campaign.

Today he turned the tables on Theregoesjojo by winning the Fountain Of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park with John Velasquez riding for the first time.

The surprise of the race came when Edgar Prado put This Ones for Phil on the lead from the 12 hole. The fractions were fast through the first half mile as Velasquez stalked in second down the backside. Turning for home Quality Road had the leader in his sights and Theregoesjojo was on the move. By the eighth pole, Quality Road had taken the lead and was going away in the end to win handily.

Theregoesjojo looked to be rallying strongly but was no match for the winner while finishing well ahead of Beethoven who closed late to get third. Capt. Candyman was the luke warm favorite and ran fourth.

We had selected Theregoesjojo, the son of Brahms, to beat Quality Road today but after seeing the race we consider the 1 1/4 mile Derby distance to be too far for him. Our exacta payoff was $77.20 for the $2.00 ticket.

Quality Road is the son of Elusive Quality who sired Kentucky Derby winner, Smarty Jones, and Breeder’s Cup Classic winner, Raven’s Pass.

Several other runners in the Fountain of Youth were expected to show more but were ‘run off the road’ as we continue to follow Quality Road to the Derby.

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Posted in Gulfstream Park, Kentucky Derby | No Comments »