Allard leaning toward Whiteley for Quint's Brew
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When Quint’s Brew bounced back to win the $100,000 Not For Love Stakes at Laurel Park on March 7, Ned Allard thought he had earned a rest after firing on a short turnaround. When the Maryland-bred got back to the barn, however, he gave his trainer a different idea.
“I planned on giving him at least a month between races, but he came out of his last race a grizzly bear,” Allard said.
If Quint’s Brew is ready to roll in the coming weeks, Allard will have a choice to make. Around this point last year, he shipped the gelding to Aqueduct for the Grade 2 Carter, where he finished second by a neck. Making the same move this year is tempting for the trainer, but he is more likely to settle for the $100,000 Frank Y. Whiteley at Laurel on April 4.
“I’m probably just going to blow him out for either the Carter or the Frank Whiteley, but I think the Frank Whiteley makes the most sense,” Allard said. “He’s a Maryland-bred, gets a bonus, and I think the Frank Whiteley might come up a little softer.”
The Whiteley’s seven-furlong distance should be ideal for Quint’s Brew, who has notched all four of his career stakes victories at Laurel between six furlongs and a mile.
Staying at Laurel will also keep him in local company, where he may have to prepare for yet another meeting with the Jamie Ness-trained gelding Blue Kingdom. The pair have squared off in four straight races, with Quint’s Brew winning two in photo finishes.
◗ Laurel Park will offer mandatory payouts on all wagers with carryover potential on Sunday, the last day of the winter meet. Live racing will be conducted from Friday to Sunday, with the current carryover on the Chesapeake Pick 6 Jackpot standing at $25,343.
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