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Dual Grade 1 winner show class in tough Blue Grass victory

The Brad Cox-trained Godolphin homebred Essential Quality (3 c Tapit - Delightful Quality by Elusive Quality) won Saturday’s Blue Grass Stakes (Gr 3, 8.5f) at Keeneland to remain unbeaten in five career starts.

A winner of the Breeders’ Futurity (Gr 1, 8.5f) at Keeneland last October before taking out the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Gr 1, 8.5f) the following month, Essential Quality resumed his three year old season in the Southwest Stakes (Gr 3, 8.5f) at Oaklawn Park in February. On Saturday, the colt settled down to race in second, one off the rail with the field led by Highly Motivated (Into Mischief). Into the straight, the leaders battled with Essential Quality taking the lead in the closing strides to score by a neck from Highly Motivated. Rombauer (Twirling Candy) was another five and a half lengths back in third. 

"It's a tremendous feeling," said trainer Brad Cox to Bloodhorse. "He had to dig in today. It was probably what he needed. It was good for him to get a good test today. He did everything easy enough in his last race. I was proud of what he was able to overcome today. Big effort."

Essential Quality is the only winner out of stakes placed Elusive Quality (Gone West) mare Delightful Quality who is herself a half-sister to dual Grade 1 winner Folklore (Tiznow). This is also the family of multiple Grade 1 winner Contrail (Deep Impact) and fellow Grade 1 winner Come Dancing (Malibu Moon). 

Gainesway Farm-based sire Tapit (Pulpit) meanwhile was represented by his 143rd stakes winner when the Stonestreet Stable-owned Pauline's Pearl (3 f ex Hot Dixie Chick by Dixie Union) won the Fantasy Stakes (Gr 3, 8.5f) at Oaklawn. The Steven Asmussen-trained filly scored by a length from Avan’s Grace (Laoban) and is now ranked fourth on the Kentucky Oaks (Gr 1, 9f) leaderboard with 120 points.