Allard tempted to give Quint's Brew a rare summer start
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Quint’s Brew has accomplished a great deal in his 14-race career, racking up six stakes victories and establishing himself as one of the foremost horses in the Mid-Atlantic. But for all his experience, the 5-year-old gelding has never run through the summer, a task that has trainer Ned Allard at a sort of crossroads.
Before the $100,000 Alapocas Run at Delaware Park last Saturday, Allard said he had never seen his star runner in better condition. Typically a front-runner, he showed a new dimension in his first race at his home track, rallying from well back to score by a half-length.
“I’ve had him a good couple of years now, and I thought he went into his race the other day as good as I’ve ever seen him,” Allard said. “And he’s come out the exact same way. He’s just a monster right now.”
But despite seeing signs to continue, Allard is still considering giving Quint’s Brew a short break, possibly through July. In his first three campaigns, the Maryland-bred has never run in a race past June without a break. Last year, he missed nearly eight months while recuperating from a minor ailment.
The trainer has always opted to stay patient, but he’s less sure now. Barring dull efforts in the Grade 3 Westchester at Aqueduct last month and $200,000 General George at Laurel Park in February, Quint’s Brew has been lights-out in four stakes victories since January.
“Probably skip July and look for something in August,” Allard said. “But it all depends on what’s coming up and how good he’s actually doing. While they’re hot, you want to take advantage of it.”
With Laurel soon going on hiatus and Delaware winding back down from a star-studded weekend, Allard may have no choice but to wait for Quint’s Brew’s next start. One of the few suitable spots for the gelding next month would be at Monmouth Park, forcing him to ship to an unfamiliar track for the $100,000 Mr. Prospector on July 17.
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