THE USUAL Q. T. (Unusual Heat) upheld his burgeoning reputation as a win
machine in Saturday’s $100,000
Sir
Beaufort S. (G3) at Santa Anita, comfortably extending his winning streak to
six consecutive races. Under a confident Victor Espinoza, the 2-5 favorite
strolled to the front in the stretch, crossed the wire a tidy one-length winner,
and stopped the teletimer in 1:34 2/5 for the firm-turf mile.
In the opening stages, Quoted (City Place) showed the way through fractions
of :23 4/5, :47 2/5 and 1:11 1/5, under ever increasing pressure from Pleasure
to Ride (Candy Ride [Arg]). A rank Mr. Rod (Scrimshaw) pulled his way behind in
third, with The Usual Q. T. biding his time in fourth.
When Pleasure to Ride and Mr. Rod delivered their challenges in earnest
turning for home, The Usual Q. T. smoothly asserted himself even wider out. The
Jim Cassidy pupil took command in midstretch and safely held the belated rallies
of Gallant Son (Malabar Gold) and Massone (Menifee). The Usual Q. T. rewarded
his supporters with mutuels of $2.80, $2.40 and $2.10 while keying the $1
exotics — the $13 exacta, $47.90 trifecta and $270.20 superfecta (6-1-5-7).
“He loves to run, he loves to win and he’s very game — that gives me a lot
of confidence,” Espinoza said. “I’ve been working really hard to get my business
together for this meet, and it’s great to get off to a good start like this on
opening day.”
The 16-1 Gallant Son returned $8.20 and $5.40 for finishing a neck ahead of
Massone, who paid $3.20 at 6-1. Riviera Cocktail (Giant’s Causeway) checked in a
nose away in fourth. Next came Tamborim (Belong to Me), Mr. Rod, Brenthurst
(Johannesburg), Quoted and Pleasure to Ride.
The Usual Q. T., who is still unbeaten going two turns on turf, has compiled
a career mark of 11-6-4-0, $516,670. The bay gelding started out against fellow
California-breds on Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride last fall, finishing second in a pair
of maidens. He did not make his sophomore debut until June, when he tested the
turf in a six-furlong sprint and closed furiously to miss by a head in his only
loss on the surface. After two unsuccessful efforts on Hollywood’s Cushion
Track, Cassidy put him back on turf and sent him two turns, and he has not lost
since.
The Usual Q. T.’s winning streak commenced with a good-looking maiden score
over state-breds at Del Mar. He then sailed through an allowance/optional
claimer by four lengths at the same course and one-mile distance. Stepping up in
class next time, The Usual Q. T. defeated older stakes rivals in the October 3
California Cup Mile H. at Santa Anita. He thereby earned his way into graded
company in the November 7 Oak Tree Derby (G2), and rose to the occasion in his
first try at nine furlongs. The November 29 Hollywood Derby (G1) offered another
set of challenges, as a Grade 1 event at 1 1/4 miles, but The Usual Q. T.
handled it with his usual aplomb.
“He hasn’t surprised me, the way he’s developed,” Cassidy said. “His style is
consistent. What can I tell you? He’s been fabulous.
“I’m leaning towards the Sunshine Millions now (over 1 1/8 miles on turf at
Gulfstream Park on January 30). The San Marcos ([G2] at 1 1/4 miles on turf on
January 18) might come up too quick.
“Originally, I was going to run him in the San Marcos, but then we got to
talking and decided to try him the last time against three-year-olds (in the Sir
Beaufort) and give him five weeks until the Sunshine Millions.”
Bred by Carlee Van Kempen in the Golden State, The Usual Q. T. is owned by
Don Van Racing, Nentwig, Saadeh and Byer. He is the first registered foal from
the winning Western Fame mare Lunge, who is a full sister to stakes victor
Western Act. Lunge has since produced an unraced juvenile colt named Iron Zeyde
(Iron Cat), an unnamed yearling colt by Bertrando and a weanling filly by
Benchmark. Further back, this is the family of Today ‘n Tomorrow (Olympiad
King), hero of the 1977 Sunset H. (G1) and San Bernardino H. (G2).