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Quality Road back in winner's circle following Woodward
Velazquez asked his charge to go around the far turn, and the pair opened up a half-length through three-quarters in 1:11 2/5. A fresh challenge soon came from the Bob Baffert-trained Mythical Power (Congaree), who had tracked in third down the backside and took a run at the favorite at the top of the stretch. However, he was no threat to the superior rival under the Woodward's weight-for-age conditions. Mythical Power held second by a diminishing half-length over Tranquil Manner (A.P. Indy), who closed fast from the rear of the field in a promising effort. "This is the race we expected," winning Todd Pletcher said. "He's proven before he's a top class horse and he proved it again today. These situations, anything less than a win is unacceptable." Quality Road paid $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10. Mythical Power, the 12-1 fourth choice, was worth $5.90 and $4.40, while Tranquil Manner gave back $4.80 at 19-1. Convocation (Pulpit), the 5-1 second choice, finished 1 1/4 lengths behind Tranquil Manner in fourth and was followed by Indian Dance (Indian Charlie), Arcodoro and 10-1 third choice Mine That Bird (Birdstone). The latter, who was suffering his eighth consecutive loss since his 2009 Kentucky Derby (G1) upset, was wearing blinkers for the first time. Racing closer to the pace than usual in fourth, two lengths behind the leader, through a half-mile, Mine That Bird came under a ride by Rajiv Maragh around the far turn and wound up more than 21 lengths behind Quality Road. "The plan all along has been to go from here to the Breeders' Cup Classic ([G1] at Churchill Downs on November 6)," Pletcher said. "We'll have his next to last work at Belmont Park, and his final work at Churchill, so we'll probably go to Churchill Downs 12 or 13 days out." Quality Road showed promise early on at three, capturing the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) under the tutelage of trainer Jimmy Jerkens. Though he set a new track record for the latter event, the bay colt's Kentucky Derby (G1) aspirations were plagued by quarter-crack issues and he ultimately never got to run in any of the Triple Crown races. Evans transferred Quality Road to Pletcher, who saddled his new charge to an easy victory in the Amsterdam S. (G2) at Saratoga. Quality Road set another track record in the Amsterdam, running 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:13.74, then finished third and second, respectively, to Summer Bird (Birdstone) in the Travers S. (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on sloppy tracks. The sophomore suffered a meltdown at the gate of the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and was scratched out of the championship event. More reserved when reappearing in the January 3 Hal's Hope S. (G3), the bay proceeded to win the one-turn mile by a comfortable 2 3/4 lengths. He next took the Donn H. (G1), breaking his own nine-furlong track record in winning by 12 3/4 lengths in a time of 1:47.72. After winning the Metropolitan H. (G1) by 1 1/2 lengths on Memorial Day, Quality Road suffered his first setback of the season when bowing by a head to Blame (Arch) in the August 7 Whitney while conceding five pounds to that rival. Quality Road's record now stands at 11-8-2-1, $2,232,830. The Virginia-bred is out of Kobla (Strawberry Road [Aus]), who has since produced a juvenile filly named Kobla Cat (Tale of the Cat). Quality Road is also a half-brother to Mt. Kobla (Mt. Livermore), herself the dam of dual Group 2-placed King Ledley (Stormin Fever). Kobla is a full sister to 1997 champion three-year-old filly and Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) heroine Ajina, an earner of more than $1.3 million. She also counts multiple Grade 3 victor Rob's Spirit (Theatrical [Ire]) as a half-brother. Quality Road's third dam is Irish champion Highest Trump (Bold Bidder), whose descendants include multiple English Group 1 winner and highweight Bahri (Riverman).
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