Stepping onto the main track shortly after the renovation
break, Quality Road
turned in an effortless five-furlong breeze Sunday morning in his final serious
move for Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney Invitational Handicap at Saratoga
Race Course.
Under exercise rider Patti Barry, the 4-year-old Elusive
Quality colt worked alone, covering the distance in 1:00.02, sixth-fastest of
27 at the distance.
“I thought it was another very, very good breeze,” said Todd
Pletcher, who trains Quality Road
for Edward P. Evans. “He went super. What I like is the way he’s moving, and
how effortlessly he did it. He’s pretty amazing.
“His last few works [in company] have been brilliant, and we
wanted to go alone and do a little less today,” added Pletcher. “I think we
have a fit and happy horse, which is the goal.”
Quality Road, the nation’s top older male in training, is
3-0-0 this year including Grade 1 wins in the Donn Handicap and the Met Mile at
Belmont Park on Memorial Day, his most recent
start.