Bounce 'this! ; The Florida Derby was Quality Road's best race yet.

[Bobby Fischer]

Maybe I view races much differently than everyone else?

The Florida Derby was Quality Road's best race yet. The Fountain of Youth was faster but it is just a mile. Who really cares who the fastest 3yo miler is ? A mile is a cheaper race. The goal and the ideal is a 10 furlong race on May 2nd. War Pass, Tale of Etaki, Pyro... they are really nice horses, but they aren't "classic distance" horses, and for me those types aren't eligible for the highest class. It's almost meaningless when I see a 3yo run a fast race at 6 or 7 or 8 furlongs. The only thing I really do with that is ask whether or not they can stretch out.

Quality Road's Florida Derby was the best 3yo dirt prep at 1 1/16th or farther this year. I don't think I Want Revenge or Friesan Fire could have beat him. Quality Road rated like a patient racehorse, it was a monster race. You see a lot of people talking about a bounce or regression... No way. That was an improvement. I think he rated better in the Florida Derby, and he ran a farther distance. He appeared to be going at a slower pace and showed a more distinct response when shaken up. In the Fountain of Youth it was less distinct, he basically just ran everyone off their feet in a race that featured a fast pace. The FOY was the best 1 turn mile probably by any horse in 2009, but it provided more questions than answers about Quality Road. The Florida Derby showed that Quality Road can rate and is a top contender to win the Kentucky Derby.