Florida Derby (G1) hero QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality) jogged 1 3/4 miles on
Belmont Park’s fast training track Saturday morning and remains on schedule for
a start in the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Quality Road overcame a quarter-crack on his right-hind hoof that developed
after his track-record performance in Gulfstream Park’s Florida Derby, where he
covered nine furlongs in 1:47.72 on March 28.
While that quarter-crack healed — he breezed five furlongs in 1:02.19 on
April 10 and six furlongs in 1:12.03 on April 17 — another, this one on the right-front hoof, developed earlier this
week.
“There was no blood and he’s sound,” said hoof specialist Ian McKinlay, who
along with trainer Jimmy Jerkens and owner Edward P. Evans, watched the horse
train this morning. “He’s feeling good and I couldn’t be happier.”
McKinlay will place a patch and a drain on the half-inch crack at 7 a.m.
(EDT) Sunday, after which Quality Road will gallop.
If all remains on schedule, he will breeze Monday morning and depart for
Louisville on Tuesday.