Elusive Quality has been enjoying another outstanding year with his runners and recorded his 14th individual Stakes winner of the year on July 17 when Native Ruler recorded his fifth victory at Stakes level, landing the Don Bernhardt at Ellis Park.
Settled just off the pace, the six-year-old entire had to come around horses entering the stretch and quickened impressively to win the six-and-a-half furlong contest by a length and a quarter.
Bred by Rick Nichols and Bernie Sams, Native Ruler is out of the G3-winning juvenile Tajannub.
Also on Saturday, West Ocean – a four-year-old daughter of Elusive Quality – notched her second straight Stakes win and sixth career victory when taking the $100,000 Klassy Briefcase Stakes at Monmouth Park.
Settled in third, the Todd Pletcher-trained filly traveled smoothly throughout and once asked to quicken as they entered the stretch, eased past her rivals and ran on superbly to win by two and three quarter lengths.
Bred by SyBon Racing Stables LLC, West Ocean is out of the four-time G3 winner Ocean Drive. Earlier this year, she became yet another record breaker for Elusive Quality, setting a new course record at Fair Grounds of 1:02.73 for five and a half furlongs.
