Quality Road - 2010 Met Mile (G1)

In a brilliant display of speed and talent, Quality Road staked his claim as the top horse in the country as he rocketed to a 1 ½-length victory over Musket Man Monday afternoon in the 117th running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park.

Under John Velazquez and top weight of 124 pounds, the 4-year-old Elusive Quality colt dueled with longshot Le Grand Cru through fractions of 22.55 and 45.19, and then shook off a challenge from Warrior's Reward nearing the quarter-pole to open up by two lengths at the top of the stretch. Rounding the turn, Musket Man picked off five rivals as he barreled into second but through the stretch could not gain on Quality Road, who flashed under the wire in 1:33.11 for the mile.

Quality Road's time tied for the second-fastest ever Met Mile behind Honour and Glory, who set the stakes record of 1:32.81 in 1996. In 1997, Langfuhr won in 1:33.11, while in 1982, before the advent of hundredths, Conquistador Cielo won in 1:33 flat.

The victory was the third straight for the Edward P. Evans homebred, who was making his first start since his track record victory of 1:47.49 in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park on March 13.

"He's such a versatile horse," said trainer Todd Pletcher, who earned his first victory in the Met Mile. "He set a track record at Saratoga at 6 ½ furlongs and two track records at Gulfstream at 1 1/8th miles, and he showed today he's a brilliant miler. He took the race to everyone and kept on."

Sent off as the 1-4 favorite in front of a Memorial Day crowd 9,386 strong, Quality Road returned $2.50 as he earned $300,000 for Evans. His record now stands at 6-2-1 from nine starts, with earnings of $1,632,830.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• nyra
• horse
• racing
• belmont
• park
• met
• metropolitan
• mile
• quality
• road
• todd
• pletcher
• john
• velazquez

[Nucleo85Torino]

@danylson10 - I say Jerkins NOT Pletcher. Quality Road was at his best pre Pletcher. Running in the Fountain of Youth(Run at a mile that year), and the Florida Derby ( Breaking Track records for both 1 mile, and 1 1/8).

[Nucleo85Torino]

@danylson10 - That is terrible for the big Fella. I hope he gets well soon.

[danylson10]

The connections don't want to admit it because of the Life At Ten incident but his first week of "display" at Stud he still showed signs of the abcess caused during the race, many who saw him atest to this including I.

[Nucleo85Torino]

@danylson10 -Where did you read that??. If true then that is a real shame for Big Beautiful QR, and MR Jerkins!. He was on the lead at the top of the stretch, and then Stopped. If that is the Reason, then thank god, because Nothing I enjoy more then watching colts like QR, Ghostzapper, and the fillies Ruffian, and RA who can dominate on the lead.....that is my kinda Horse!. That is a terrible way for him to go into Retirement.

[danylson10]

An abcess caused his dismal result in the Classic, Still a Monster!!!

[Nucleo85Torino]

Classy...Consistent....QUALITY ROAD!. A great Miler. But it ends there.

[drfager01]

@danylson10- You dont break Legendary Horses track records by burning out in the last 1/4 mile. at 10 furlongs if he puts in a 46: and change 1/2 mile alone on the lead he has a chance to win. but if he goes faster than 46 fighting another horse for 6 furlongs his lungs will explode at the 1/4 pole its been proven he has no kick at 9 furlongs if someone is on his ass. quality road is J&H personality. not a true classic horse. Dirt mile a win. BCC 5th or 6th. as for BIG RED's record hell no.

[RockLikeBoulders]

i think zenyatta is a little overstated here.. i like and would like to see her 20 for 20 BUT she has never ran against this high caliber of a field.... quality road is more of a sprinter Blame over took him in the whitney.. blame has a hard time catching the lead if they get away BUT he really opens up half way down the stretch which is good for head to head duals.lookin at lucky has great stretch recovery but seems to struggle in my opinion.QR will burn out BL LAL and Z will be at the wire...

[danylson10]

Quality Road will come close to Breaking Secretariat's record and if he does please don't say garbage comments on this post Quality Road Haters!!

[ginita105]

@queenluciaa Ehehe, we'll see about that :D