Reigning champion trainer Brad Cox told Steve Byk this morning that Kentucky Derby fourth-place finisher Essential Quality will not return in the Preakness Stakes, but would instead come back in five weeks for the Belmont.
The 3-year-old son of Tapit was undefeated prior to his run on the first Saturday in May, winning the G1 Breeders' Futurity, G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, G3 Southwest Stakes, and G2 Blue Grass. He endured a challenging trip at the start of the Kentucky Derby, rushed up into contention prior to the clubhouse turn, and ran on well to finish fourth, beaten just a length by the winner, Medina Spirit.
Final decisions have yet to be made for Cox's other two Preakness potentials, Derby runner-up Mandaloun and G1 Arkansas Derby runner-up Caddo River.
From @bradcoxracing, Essential Quality will bypass @PreaknessStakes, point for @BelmontStakes.. Decisions on Baltimore with Mandaloun & Caddo River in next couple days after discussions with respective owners @JuddmonteFarms & John Ed Anthony..
— 🏇🏿 Steve Byk (@Steve_Byk) May 4, 2021
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