Quality Lass all business during Turf Amazon

BENSALEM, Pa. - Things did not go well for Quality Lass before or after the $200,000 Turf Amazon at Parx Racing on Monday, but for the 57-plus seconds of the race she was perfect.

Quality Lass, based locally with trainer Lupe Preciado, was difficult to get to the starting gate and delayed the beginning of the five-furlong Turf Amazon. After arriving at the gate she was difficult to load. But when the gates opened, she shot to the lead, turned back the other speed horses, and then lasted by a head over a fast-closing Joya Real.

After being led into the winner's circle, Quality Lass began to show signs of heat exhaustion and was taken out and hosed down before any pictures could be taken. Preciado followed up the stretch as she was slowly led toward the test barn, a bit unsteady on her feet. Quality Lass was hosed down again on the racetrack at the sixteenth pole and began to loosen up. A ride in the equine ambulance was offered but refused.

"She has never done that at the gate before," Preciado said afterward. "She always goes right to the gate and loads fine."

When the gates of the turf Amazon opened, Quality Lass went to the lead under jockey John Bisono while prompted by Spun Cap and Jewel of a Star. Quality Lass drew clear in upper stretch and then just lasted over the late-running Joya Real, who closed fast up the rail. Jewel of a Star was third, a half-length behind Joya Real

Quality Lass paid $18 to win and was timed in 22.48, 45.40 and 57.71. The win was the eighth from 26 starts for Quality Lass, a 5-year-old daughter of Exclusive Quality.

Aquinnah broke through the gate before the start and had to be reloaded.