NEWS
Blame, Haynesfield lead charge against Quality Road in Whitney
Posted: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 1:05 PM
QUALITY ROAD
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
by Jeff Lowe
Quality Road will resume his methodical march toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday against perhaps his stiffest competition so far this season in the $750,000 Whitney Invitational Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
Blame and Haynesfield have both emerged as legitimate players in the older male division since the pro-tem leader, Quality Road, delivered on one of his connections’ main objectives for 2010 in a powerful Metropolitan Handicap (G1) performance on May 31 at Belmont Park.
Blame and Haynesfield are two of only five challengers for Quality Road as he reaches another target on the way to the biggest goal, the $5-million Classic on November 6 at Churchill Downs. The Whitney winner will receive an automatic starting spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series.
Quality Road, the 2-to-5 favorite on the morning line of New York Racing Association oddsmaker Eric Donovan, will spot five pounds to Blame and ten to Haynesfield as the 126-pound highweight.
“I think Quality Road certainly belongs in any conversation about the best horse in training,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “I think if you look at his Donn Handicap (G1), for example, that was just an unbelievable race, and then to come back with a similar performance in the Met Mile—we believe he is the best horse in training.”
Blame will return to the same track and trip of his first stakes victory last August in the Curlin Stakes. He followed with a second-place finish in the Super Derby (G2) that stands as his only defeat during a six-race span that extended to the highest level on June 12 with his victory in the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs.
“We are ready to take on all comers,” trainer Al Stall Jr. said. “I’m looking forward to it. If [Quality Road] goes :45 flat [for a half mile], I’ll be smiling.”
Haynesfield will carry his own four-race win streak into his first Grade 1 appearance. The New York-bred colt closed out 2009 with victories in the Empire Classic Stakes and Discovery Handicap (G3) and picked right back up as a four-year-old at Belmont Park with a state-bred allowance win on June 13 and a clear score in the Suburban Handicap (G2) on July 3.
The Whitney also drew Mine That Bird and Musket Man, two rivals from last year’s Triple Crown series.
Mine That Bird heads back to dirt after an impromptu and disappointing turf prep in the Firecracker Handicap (G2) on July 4 at Churchill Downs in his first start of the year and first race in the care of trainer D. Wayne Lukas. The four-year-old gelding has finished unplaced in three straight races and has dropped six straight since his huge upset in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
Musket Man finished third in the Derby and third again behind Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird in the BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (G1), which was his most recent start around two turns. As a four-year-old, he missed by a nose to Warrior’s Reward in the Carter Handicap (G1) and finished second by 1 ½ lengths in the Met Mile in his most recent start.
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer
August 07, $750,000, 3yo & up, 1 1/8M, Saratoga Race Course, 5:48 PM ET
| Post |
Horse |
Sire |
Weight |
Jockey |
Trainer |
| 1 |
Mine That Bird 4, g. |
Birdstone |
118 |
Calvin Borel |
D. Lukas |
| 2 |
Blame 4, c. |
Arch |
121 |
Garrett Gomez |
Albert Stall, Jr. |
| 3 |
Quality Road 4, c. |
Elusive Quality |
126 |
John Velazquez |
Todd Pletcher |
| 4 |
Haynesfield 4, c. |
Speightstown |
116 |
Ramon Dominguez |
Steven Asmussen |
| 5 |
Jardim (BRZ) 4, c. |
Ski Champ |
113 |
Julien Leparoux |
Eduardo Caramori |
| 6 |
Musket Man 4, c. |
Yonaguska |
117 |
Rajiv Maragh |
Derek Ryan |
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: PHILLIP, PLANO, TX on August 06, 2010 at 10:48 PM
I have to agree with Domenico M.! I thought Quality Road had a hard luck year last year and wasn't at his best against Summer Bird so I'd like to see him do well.
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Posted by: Mimi, San Antonio, TX on August 05, 2010 at 09:13 PM
I completely agree Jack, Baltimore, MD. If Quality Road has any kind of let down, Blame is very capable of snatching the victory. Haynesfield I think might get third or so.
Also, Quality Road and Blame have very nice pedigrees. Elusive Quality of course sired Smarty Jones and QR has Alydar in his pedigree too.
Blame's 3rd dam is Special, the mother of Nureyev. And his dad Arch also sired Pine Island, and he's a grandson of Roberto through the successful sire Kris S.
It's a tough call, and I also believe it will be a fabulous race.
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Posted by: Lance, Sea Girt, NJ on August 05, 2010 at 07:31 PM
I'm surprised of the weights in this race. If QR is not on his game, the weight may get him beat. With equal weights, QR should smash this field even if he's not at his best. Everyone should stop talking about the pathetic three year olds and watch the real stars that are in this race.
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Posted by: DOMENICO MARCHAIANO, VINCENTOWN, NJ on August 05, 2010 at 10:22 AM
TOO ALL,
WE,LL HAVE TOO SEE WHO FEELS LIKE RUNNING.
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Posted by: Jack, Baltimore, MD on August 04, 2010 at 06:52 PM
This race is a tough call. Both Quality Road and Blame are at their peak right now. Quality Road has looked sensational in both the Donn Handicap and the Met Mile. I believe Blame's two best looking races have both been at Churchill Downs. The Clark Handicap and the Stephen Foster Handicap. I'd give Quality Road a little bit of an edge on both talent and speed. The one race that Blame has lost in his career, the 09' Super Derby, was to a speed horse that likes to run out front in Regal Ransom. I believe Quality Road is a good deal faster on the front end than Regal Ransom. But Blame is a tenacious competitor. He always manages to thread his way through the pack, and come flying at whoever is out on the lead. I expect the Whitney to be a real knock down, drag out of a race. When all is said and done. I expect Quality Road to just get Blame. But, if Quality Road were to have any kind of let down whatsoever in the race? Blame is absolutely more than capable of snatching victory away from Quality Road. It should be a fabulous race.
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