Kentucky Derby Profile: Essential Quality

Essential Quality

Trainer: Brad Cox

Owner: Godolphin LLC

Breeder: Godolphin

Jockey: Luis Saez

Sire: Tapit Dam: Delightful Quality by Elusive Quality

Essential Quality, a Godolphin homebred Tapit colt, won his career debut in impressive fashion on the rescheduled Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve undercard, scoring by a four lengths in a six-furlong race. Trainer Brad Cox elevated him to stakes company for his next outing in the Oct. 3 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland, a Challenge Series “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare. Jockey Luis Saez put Essential Quality in second through the backstretch pressing the pace, and the colt took over at will heading into the far turn and was not challenged thereafter in a dominant 3 ¼-length win.

Running Style: Pace Presser

Morning line favorite Essential Quality (2-1) has drawn post position 14 for the 147th edition of the Kentucky Derby. In the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Saez was forced to rate Essential Quality off the pace in eighth early behind a fast opening half-mile in :45.31. Essential Quality accelerated on cue and rolled past seven horses to prevail by three-quarters of a length and state his case as a leading contender for the Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old male.