Making his first start since winning the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland last Nov. 6, Godolphin homebred Essential Quality – the reigning 2-year-old champion of 2020 – remained undefeated in four starts with an off the pace win for trainer Brad Cox in Saturday's Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Ark.
The Tapit colt out of Delightful Quality, by Elusive Quality, covered 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy track under Luis Saez in 1:45.48 and paid $3.80 for the win as the 4-5 favorite, winning by 4 1/4 lengths.
Spielberg, a late entry to the Southwest from Bob Baffert's West Coast stable, finished second, with pacesetter Jackie's Warrior another 4 1/4 lengths back in third and Woodhouse fourth in the field of seven 3-year-olds.
The Southwest, postponed from its original date because of the winter storm that hit Arkansas, was a qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby offering 10-4-2-1 to the top four finishers.
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Jackie's Spirit, also making his first start since the Breeders' Cup Juvenile – in which he finished fourth, his first career loss in five career outings – went to the lead under Joel Rosario. The Maclean's Music colt, who won the G1 Hopeful and G1 Champagne as a 2-year-old, went the opening quarter in :23.52, a half-mile in :48.11 and six furlongs in 1:13.59.
Essential Quality, fifth early, moved into contention approaching the far turn, went three wide at the three-eighths pole and took command into the stretch. He clocked a mile time of 1:39.05 and drew off for the win.
Spielberg, after getting away slowly rallied from last to get second for the third time in eight starts to go with a maiden win and victory in the G2 Los Alamitos Futurity.
Winning trainer Brad Cox, Essential Quality: “Luis put him in a good position. I was little nervous when I saw the :48, but look our horse ranged up at the half mile pole in a nice comfortable way. He showed up and ran his race. It was somewhat of a relief to get this race over with. The delay of the race, the track condition, just a lot of obstacles to overcome. Good horses do overcome, but it doesn't mean the trainer doesn't worry. We just want to wrap him in bubble wrap and get to the next race.”
Winning jockey Luis Saez, Essential Quality: “I'm so excited. I was very happy to be riding this horse. We were waiting a long time. What a talented horse. We knew the speed was to our outside. The plan was to try to follow him (Jackie's Warrior) the whole way. Everything came together. He broke pretty well and at the 5/8th pole he took the bridle and was really pulling me, but I was waiting, just trying to wait with him. We came to the stretch just so easy. He switched leads and just took off. What a nice horse. He finished very strong and I still had a lot of horse.”
Trainer Bob Baffert, second with Spielberg: “After the start, Martin didn't panic. He stayed back there and rode his race. He was just moving a little (in the gate). But, you have to give credit to the winner. He's a good horse. I'm proud of the way (Spielberg) ran. He showed up. I'm very happy. Other than the gate, everything went well. He shipped well and he ran well.”
Jockey Martin Garcia, second on Spielberg: “He missed the break. I put him in the race and on the outside, I just followed the winner every step. When I asked him, he went, but the winner was already being asked. I think my horse will be better at 1 1/8 miles.”
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