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Quality Road eyes first breeze for Pletcher Florida Derby (G1) winner QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality), who missed the Triple Crown because of quarter-crack issues, has been galloping steadily for new trainer Todd Pletcher. The Edward Evans homebred is on the verge of breezing as his connections look toward a possible start in the $500,000 Jim Dandy S. (G2) at Saratoga on August 1. "He's fairly close to a breeze, probably some time in the next week or so," Pletcher said. "We've been working around a rain schedule, and he should be ready with a few more gallops on a good track." Quality Road was an early favorite for the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1) while under the care of Jimmy Jerkens, but developed a quarter-crack in his right front foot that ruled him out of the classics. He returned to the worktab on June 8, breezing three furlongs in :38 4/5, and was transferred from Jerkens to Pletcher the following week. Another three-year-old on the comeback trail is the Steve Asmussen-trained HAYNESFIELD (Speightstown), who has been sidelined since his subpar eighth-place finish in the Gotham S. (G3). The impressive winner of the Damon Runyon S., Count Fleet S. and Whirlaway S. over the winter, Haynesfield has been training well at Belmont Park. "He's getting ready for a breeze and looking toward a fall campaign," assistant trainer Toby Sheets said.
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