Truly Quality likely for Hollywood Turf Cup over BC Turf

Truly Quality has won two long-distance turf stakes since early September, leaving trainer Jonathan Thomas considering a start in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar on Nov. 29 more than the Breeders’ Cup Turf at the same venue on Nov. 2.

Both races are run at 1 1/2 miles on turf.

Truly Quality, owned by George Strawbridge’s Augustin Stable, won the Colonial Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Colonial Downs in Virginia on Sept. 7, and rallied from last of 13 to win the Grade 3 Singspiel Stakes at 1 3/8 miles by three-quarters of a length as the 9-5 favorite at Woodbine last Saturday.

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The come-from-behind style of the win created a few hectic moments for Thomas.

“I’ve never had less fun watching a race,” Thomas said with a laugh. “He got it done.”

The $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup will be an easier option than the BC Turf, which will draw national and internationally prominent runners.

“That’s perfect,” Thomas said of the Hollywood Turf Cup conditions. “He likes the distance and he likes a firm turf.”

As for the BC Turf, Thomas hopes the 4-year-old Truly Quality can be a contender in 2025 “if we can keep him on an upper plateau,” he said.

Mouffy, winner of the Grade 2 Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine last Saturday, is a candidate for the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf at Del Mar on Dec. 1. Owned by Strawbridge, Mouffy won the Dance Smartly Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf by closing from 11th of 12 to prevail by a head.

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