Dual Grade 1 winner lands Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn

The Brad Cox-trained Essential Quality (3 c Tapit - Delightful Quality by Elusive Quality) showcased his Kentucky Derby (Gr 1, 10f) credentials when he retained his unblemished record when he landed the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (Gr 3, 8.5f) at Oaklawn on Saturday. 

Unbeaten in three starts as a juvenile, including winning the Breeders' Futurity (Gr 1, 8.5f) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (Gr 1, 8.5f) the colt drew clear in the closing stages to beat Spielberg (Union Rags) - who overcame a slow start - to finish four and a quarter lengths away in second. Jackie's Warrior (Maclean’s Music) was the same distance away in third. 

"He certainly acted like he had in the morning, but you never know till they show up in the afternoon," Cox said. "And he definitely looked like he did move forward. He had a little wild trip today, (then) kicked on down the lane."

"He's a very fit horse that really, he doesn't seem to have a bottom to him. I think the further we go the better he's going to get.”

The colt is out of the Elusive Quality (Gone West) mare Delightful Quality and comes from the same family as dual Grade 1 winner Folklore (Tiznow) and unbeaten multiple Japanese Grade 1 winner Contrail (Deep Impact).