Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Essential Quality likely to prep twice before Kentucky Derby

There are a lot of details to sort out over the coming days in regards to Essential Quality’s immediate future, but trainer Brad Cox said Saturday that the colt would likely make just two starts prior to next May’s Kentucky Derby.

“I’d have to think three would be a little bit of a stretch prior to the Derby,” Cox said.

Where and when those races would take place is to be determined. Cox will have horses stabled this winter at Oaklawn Park, Fair Grounds, and, for the first time, Palm Meadows, in South Florida. All three regions have ample opportunities for 3-year-olds on the path toward the Derby.

Cox said he would soon discuss those options with Jimmy Bell, president of Godolphin Racing’s U.S. operation.

Essential Quality will head into the winter as the pro tem favorite for the Kentucky Derby based on his victory in Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland and his win in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity five weeks earlier, also at Keeneland.

In the Futurity, Essential Quality was up to close to a modest pace. In the Juvenile, he was nine lengths back after an opening half-mile that was run in 45.31 seconds.

“It just shows you his versatility,” Cox said Friday after the race. “I do feel the sky’s the limit for this colt.”

:: Start earning weekly cashback on your wagering today. Click to learn more.

Part of the excitement for Essential Quality is that he still appears to be figuring things out. He’s made all three of his starts – beginning with a maiden victory going six furlongs at Churchill Downs – in a nine-week period. He was a bit immature in his first two starts, but seemed to be more professional Friday.

“Brad told me after the Breeders’ Futurity he doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing yet and since then to today he said ‘I’m telling you he’s beginning to figure things out,’ ” Bell said Friday after the race. “To see him grow mentally, obviously develop physically and be able to handle this kind of competition certainly makes you want to dream a little bit.”

The Derby has been an unrealized goal for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and head of Godolphin, who has been running horses in the Kentucky Derby since 1999. Godolphin has run 11 horses in nine runnings of the Derby, with Frosted’s fourth-place in 2015 its best finish.

Doug O’Neill, the trainer of Juvenile runner-up Hot Rod Charlie at odds of 94-1, said his horse will be heading back to Southern California while he and his owners map out a 3-year-old campaign.

Keepmeinmind, who rallied from last to be third in the Juvenile, shipped back to Churchill Downs on Saturday along with Dreamer’s Disease, who finished sixth. Trainer Robertino Diodoro indicated to the Breeders’ Cup notes team that both will winter at Oaklawn Park.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Jackie’s Warrior, fourth as the favorite in the Juvenile, emerged from the race in good order and said there are no plans for the horse.

“We’ll get through the day and then we’ll figure it out,” Asmussen said Saturday morning after Nashville galloped in the Perryville Stakes.

– additional reporting by Nicole Russo