Elusive Quality’s talented son Quality Road, now four years old, bounced back to form in impressive fashion with an impressive victory in the G3 Hal’s Hope Stakes at Gulfstream Park on January 3.
After a frustrating trip to the Breeders’ Cup last November, Todd Pletcher’s charge entered the gate without any trouble and breaking smartly, was soon in front. Travelling well throughout, Quality Road saw off the challenge from eventual runner-up You And I Forever and eased clear close to home to win by two and three quarter lengths.
This was his fourth Graded Stakes win, having captured the Fountain Of Youth en route to victory in the G1 Florida Derby. Having missed the Triple Crown due to a quarter crack, Quality Road returned last August with a record-breaking win in the G2 Amsterdam Stakes. He will now be aimed at the G1 Donn Handicap on February 6.
Also on Sunday, Free Flying Soul (Quiet American) notched her third Stakes win when leading for most of the way to land the Kalookan Queen Stakes at Santa Anita by two and a quarter lengths.
Free Flying Soul was bred by James Temple Hines Jr and is out of the multiple Graded Stakes winner Ruby Surprise (Farma Way), from the family of G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner Saratoga County.
Elusive Quality and Quiet American both stand at Darley America in Kentucky at fees of $75,000 and $15,000 respectively.
