Edited Gulfstream Park track notes
Edward P. Evans’ homebred colt Quality Road worked five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 at Gulfstream Park the morning of Jan. 24 for trainer Todd Pletcher as he continues preparation for his next start in the $500,000 Donn Handicap (gr. I) to be run Feb. 6 at Gulfstream.
The 4-year-old colt, who won the 2009 Blackberry Presents the 58th Running of the Florida Derby (gr. I) made an impressive season debut at Gulfstream on opening day, Jan. 3, when he drew clear to win the $100,000 Hal’s Hope Stakes (gr. III) by 2 3/4 lengths going one mile under regular rider John R. Velazquez. That was his first start since finishing second in The Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) last October at Belmont Park.
Quality Road was prominent among a team of Pletcher-trained stakes runners on the Jan. 24 morning tab including three 3-year-olds that are considered potential Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contenders: Zayat Stable’s Eskendereya (:51 1/5), WinStar Stable’s Rule (1:01 2/5), and E. Paul Robsham Stable’s Discreetly Mine (:51 2/5).
Eskendereya was impressive winning an allowance going a mile at Gulfstream Jan. 7 in his first start since finishing ninth in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Santa Anita. Pletcher has indicated that Gulfsteam’s Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) at Feb. 20 is among the options being considered for his next start.
Rule is a Kentucky homebred colt by Roman Ruler who won the Boyd Gaming’s Delta Jackpot (gr. III) last out Dec. 4.
Discreetly Mine is a Kentucky homebred by Mineshaft who finished fourth as the favorite in the Spectacular Bid Stakes on Jan. 9 in his first start since a runner-up performance in the Champagne Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park in October.