Quality Road Works Solid Four Furlongs

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Photo: Coglianese Photos

Quality Road
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Quality Road  , who had been battling a quarter crack since his victory in the Florida Derby (gr. I), worked a half-mile in :48 3/5 on the Belmont training track Friday and showed no ill effects from his injury, said trainer Jimmy Jerkens.

Jerkens said the son of Elusive Quality, who was ridden by regular exercise rider Juan Moreno, galloped out five furlongs in 1:02, which was the official time listed by the clockers.

“He worked well and looked good afterward,” Jerkens said. “We didn’t see any blood and he was putting his foot down OK, so maybe we’ll get lucky. Every day he’s sound and there’s nothing seeping out of it the better you are, that’s for sure."

Jerkens said Quality Road worked after the second break, at about 9:35. He galloped about a mile before breaking off into his work.

As for the colt’s remaining work schedule, Jerkens said, “He might not have a published work next week. I might just let him have a good strong gallop on the main track and then look to work him five days after that. I’m just trying to line it up where he has his major work about a week or eight days before the Derby.

“They had a plane leaving for Kentucky on the Tuesday before the race, so I hope that will still be the plan. I’d rather go on Tuesday rather than Wednesday; that would be cutting it a little close.”

At Palm Meadows, Dunkirk, runner-up in the Florida Derby, worked a half in :48 4/5, the fastest of seven works at the distance. The son of Unbridled's Song has $150,000 in graded earnings and currently ranks 17th on the earnings list of potential Derby starters.

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