Quality Road schools Dunkirk in Fla Derby

Quality Road passed his first route test with flying colors in Saturday’s Florida Derby .

The Elusive Quality colt was always traveling well tracking the pace under Johnny V , and when Dunkirk made a bold move turning for home, Quality Road found another gear and pulled clear for a 1-3/4 length tally.

The James Jerkens trainee joins I Want Revenge and Friesan Fire as versatile graded Derby prep route winners, and this crop is much faster and deeper than the ‘08 crew.

Early/pressing speed is frequently dangerous at the Gulf, especially at nine furlongs, and the track was lightning fast (1:47.72 track record ), but take nothing away from the winner. He looks every bit the part of a serious contender on the first Saturday in May.

Dunkirk (clearly 2nd best) was hardly disgraced under Garrett Gomez and picked up a desperately needed $150k in graded earnings, but he’s still on the bubble for the big dance.

Todd Pletcher’s $3.7 million purchase was only making his 3rd career start and faced a quality foe with a pace advantage. Maybe the best thing for the late bloomer is missing the Derby. He is clearly talented but is still light on seasoning.

Theregoesjojo kept Quality Road in his sights from the outset but could not match strides with the top two in the lane. He ended up 3rd, and a futile objection by Kent D was dismissed rather quickly. The Ken McPeek charge is best when able to sit back and make a late run, and he should revert to those tactics in the Derby.

Photo Credit: newscom.com