Hollywood Derby (GI) - November 29, 2009

California-bred The Usual Q.T., given a perfect stalking trip by Victor Espinoza, took command early in the stretch and went on to score his fifth consecutive victory in Sundays 68th running of the $300,000 Hollywood Derby at Hollywood Park.

The Usual Q.T., giving an on-track crowd of 9,814 an encore less than an hour after super mare Zenyatta was given a send-off by Hollywood Park and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, became the first Cal-bred to win the Grade I event since Slew The Dragon in 1985.

The bay gelding, by popular California sire Unusual Heat, covered 1 ¼ miles on the Lakeside Turf Course in a snappy 1:59.69 while traveling the distance for the first time in his career. The third choice, he was not seriously challenged while holding off 5-2 favorite Battle of Hastings by 1 ½ lengths. Acclamation, a 75-1 shot, was another half-length back in third, a nose in front of Al Khali.

Rescue Squad finished fifth in the field of 12, followed by Meteore, second choice Take the Points, Black Bear Island, Straight Story, Sal the Barber, Sir Al and Blazing Spirit.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Hollywood Park
• Hollywood Derby
• The Usual Q.T.
• Victor Espinoza
• Jim Cassady

[GBeret83]

From a mile to 1-1/4, The Usual Q.T. is probably the most consistent turf horse in America. If he does a race on turf? It's extremely rare that he doesn't at least make the frame. Ran a dynamite race to make the frame behind Goldikova and Gio Ponti in the 2010 B.C. Mile.

[GBeret83]

@jhordanian, I'd have to agree with you on that statement. Take The Points, Straight Story, Acclamation, and especially The Usual Q.T. have all really proven themselves terrific American turf horses. Black Bear Island didn't run as well in the Hollywood Derby as he had at Arlington in the Secretariat Stakes. But he's legit. Finished ahead of Sea The Stars in his maiden race at the Curragh. Then beat a dynamite field of European turf horses to win the 2009 G2 Dante Stakes at York.

[jhordanian]

Best field of 3 year old turf horses in 09'. The Usual QT, Acclamation, Take the Points, and Black Bear Island are all gr.1 winners and horses like Battle of Hastings, Straight Story, Rendezvous, Meteore, Al Khali are proven graded stakes horses.

[1800s]

i like this cal-bred.

i was there that day had $10-win.