Essential Quality aims for double in G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic

Essential Quality chases another piece of history when he bids to become the first Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner to go on to glory in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar, US, on Saturday.

Last season’s champion two-year-old has continued to confirm his status as the best of his generation this year, winning five of his six starts including a resolute victory in the G1 Belmont Stakes in June.

The Brad Cox-trained colt has subsequently gained two more wins at Saratoga, scoring in the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes before a courageous neck success in the G1 Travers Stakes.

Luis Saez continues his partnership with the Godolphin homebred, whose only defeat came in the G1 Kentucky Derby in May, in which he finished a close fourth following a wide trip.

Brad Cox said: “Essential Quality has never missed a beat. He seems to be developing physically all the time and looks tremendous. His only defeat in his career was in the Kentucky Derby and you could argue that he probably ran the best race that day, or one of the better races, to end up fourth.

“The one thing about Essential Quality is that he has shown his ability to adapt to pace. If it’s a hot pace, he can sit off and come running, and, if it’s a soft pace, he can sit close. It’s not going to be a soft pace here. So, we’re thinking that they’ll probably get away from him in the early part and he’ll be running around the turns and down the lane.”

A strong Godolphin squad for day two of the Breeders’ Cup is augmented by four runners trained by Charlie Appleby, including G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile challengers Space Blues and Master Of The Seas.

Five-year-old Space Blues (William Buick) has predominantly raced over shorter distances and the Dubawi entire gained the second of two G1 wins on his latest outing with an electric display in the G1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp, France, in early October.

Master Of The Seas (James Doyle) lost out by a short-head in the G1 2,000 Guineas in May and made an encouraging return from injury with a staying-on third behind Benbatl in the G2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket in September. The Dubawi colt found testing ground against him on his most recent start in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in mid-October.

Appleby said: “Space Blues is in great order and looks to have a live chance.”

Agencies