McCarthy hoping Quickly Park It rebounds in California Cup Oaks
Quickly Park It went from a surprise win at 12-1 in the Pike Place Dancer Stakes at Golden Gate Fields in October to a ninth at 8-1 in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes at Del Mar on Dec. 3.
The conflicting results may confuse bettors studying Quickly Park It’s chances in Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Oaks at a mile on turf for statebred 3-year-old fillies. From trainer Sean McCarthy’s perspective, Quickly Park It rates as a leading contender, needing only a clean journey against eight rivals to win the richest race of his career.
“In her last race, she never got an opportunity to run,” McCarthy said. “When there was a chance to get clear, she couldn’t get clear. When she did get clear, it was too late and she kicked on.”
Quickly Park it, who races for owner and breeder John Harris, was beaten five lengths by Ligura in the Jimmy Durante Stakes at a mile on turf. She raced in traffic on the backstretch after a slow start and closed some ground in the stretch.
The loss ended a two-race winning streak that began with a win in a maiden race for California-breds at a mile on turf at Del Mar in August.
McCarthy said he was encouraged by Quickly Park It’s half-mile workout in 48.60 seconds on the training track at Santa Anita last Saturday.
The win would come during a milestone week for McCarthy. He turned 60 on Thursday.
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