If ESSENTIAL QUALITY had won the Blue Grass by a neck under moderate urging, looking like a horse going through a two-race progression to the Kentucky Derby with his connections ensuring they were leaving something in the tank, I would just eat his relatively short price (made shorter by the intended multi-million wager from Jim McIngvale). The trainer contended in conversation this week that the jockey believed he had Highly Motivated whenever he wanted him, but I cannot just disregard what I see with my eyes – a horse in an all-out drive, working hard to narrowly prevail. I have less problem with Essential Quality’s supposedly disappointing final Derby work. I really think he was asked for little. His subsequent gallops have been breathtaking. But in the end, given the price, I just can’t back him. My other main consideration was ROCK YOUR WORLD. I love all three of his races, at least really like if not love the look of every single workout this year for which there’s video, and believe this is a horse who will, as the cliché goes, “run all day.” He landed an ideal post, since he has two turf races and led in his only dirt start. The Derby is not the place to get in behind, take kickback, and have to navigate a scrum for the first time. And therein lies the concern: Three races, three comfortable trips, a clear lead in his only dirt start, and at the Derby for his first trip out on the road. Maybe talent trumps all. We shall see. :: Get Kentucky Derby Betting Strategies for exclusive wager recommendations, contender profiles, pedigree analysis, and more I came to Louisville with HOT ROD CHARLIE No. 1 and have wound up there after all. The consternation caused Tuesday when Hot Rod Charlie, in his second day training at Churchill, never left the pony in a strangely light training session gave way Wednesday to a very spirited gallop. Hot Rod Charlie, going smooth and fast down the backstretch, really wanted to do more before two-time Derby-winning trainer Doug O’Neill’s pony sprinted alongside to catch him and put an end to the exercise. Positives abound here at the likely price. Hot Rod Charlie already has shipped twice, and in the first of those he ran close to the Derby favorite at Keeneland while just starting to find himself. The race he ran in his second ship in the Louisiana Derby remains underrated. Sent to the lead to stay out of trouble and give himself the best chance to accumulate needed Derby points, Hot Rod Charlie set a very strong pace by Fair Grounds standards, yet it was he, not Midnight Bourbon or O Besos, who traveled best crossing the wire. At 1 3/16 miles, this was the longest Derby prep, and after setting the pace by design in New Orleans, Hot Rod Charlie can return to his preferred stalking trip Saturday. MIDNIGHT BOURBON got a narrow call for fourth over King Fury, with Known Agenda, Medina Spirit, and Dynamic One the others considered for the slot. :: Get DRF Clocker Reports for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks cards to access exclusive insights from morning training