Quality Road has ANOTHER Quarter Crack
FlyinLate
Senior Member
Quality Road's Derby Status in Doubt | BloodHorse.com News
Not good. I actually feel sorry for Draynay. It puts a big damper on the potential showdown between QR and IWR. Bad news for all derby fans.
Not good. I actually feel sorry for Draynay. It puts a big damper on the potential showdown between QR and IWR. Bad news for all derby fans.
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Quality Road, one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby, has developed another quarter-crack, putting his status for the May 2 Run for the Roses in question.
Trainer Jimmy Jerkens said Friday morning at Belmont Park he first noticed the crack, this one on the inside of his right-front hoof, on Thursday after the Elusive Quality colt returned from a routine morning gallop.
He wasnt sore or anything, said Jerkens. We brought him in to pull his shoes afterward and thats when we noticed it.
Jerkens said he was optimistic that Quality Road, who appears fully recovered from a slight quarter-crack in his right-hind hoof, could still make the 1¼-mile Derby. Noted hoof specialist Ian McKinley, who successfully patched the first injury, is scheduled to treat the crack Friday afternoon.
A quarter crack is a crack that appears in the wall of the hoof, often starting at the coronet band, where the hoof meets the hair, and growing down. It can also start in the wall and move upward.
"If Ian can lace it this afternoon, and the horse can gallop tomorrow, he could put a patch on right away and he can breeze on Sunday," said Jerkens. "If he wants to wait another day, he can gallop Sunday, and then breeze Monday."
Quality Road, owned by Edward P. Evans, is scheduled to depart Belmont Park for Churchill Downs on Tuesday. The record-setting winner of the Florida Derby owns a 3-1-0 record and earnings of $632,830.
Statement from hoof specialist Ian McKinlay, regarding Quality Road:
I saw Quality Road (Thursday) morning and thats when we noticed the crack [in the right-front hoof]. I did him up with Animalintex (poultice), which draws out the infection. This morning, the crack was very clean. Obviously, he didnt go to the track, so they tubbed him. Theyll dry him up and Ill see him later this afternoon.
It was a straight crack, with no infection. I really dont think it is as serious as the other one [right-hind quarter crack]. If we were able to get right on top of it, Ill probably lace it this afternoon. You have to remember that we are dealing with a living organism and it has a mind of its own. There is only so much we can do, and then we hope for the best. Ill know more when I see him this afternoon, and Saturday morning will tell us a lot.
If he goes it won't change my betting at all. If he gets his works in I see no reason to change anything. Its not like the horse knows he is injured. If he is not favoring it and trains well all should be fine. You hate to have to deal with it but he would not be the first athlete to put a little tape on an injury and go out and perform well.
Trainer Jimmy Jerkens expressed optimism Friday afternoon that Quality Road, a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby, would be able to make the May 2 Run for the Roses after noted hoof specialist Ian McKinlay treated a second quarter crack in the colts right-front hoof at Belmont Park.
Ian closed the crack up with laces [this afternoon], said Jerkens. We will jog him tomorrow, if theres no blood we can patch him. He can gallop Sunday and breeze Monday, and if he is sound Tuesday well ship to Kentucky.
Right now, hes absolutely sound, added Jerkens, who had wanted to breeze Edward P. Evans Grade 1 Florida Derby winner either Saturday or Sunday. But to miss your last work when you wanted to work before the Derby is crucial.
Quality Road, who appears fully recovered from a slight quarter crack in his right-hind hoof suffered in March, developed this quarter crack, estimated at about one-half inch long, sometime Thursday. It was first noticed after he returned from a routine gallop at Belmont Park.
He wasnt sore or anything, said Jerkens. We brought him in to pull his shoes afterward and thats when we noticed it.
McKinlay, whose client list includes 1997 Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold and 2008 Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown, said he was fully confident Quality Road would be able to make the Derby.
The foot is cold, which is a tremendous sign, McKinlay said. Hes a little sensitive at the hairline, but now that it is stabilized (with the laces) the pain will go away. Its not bothering him and I dont think theres any infection.
McKinlay said Quality Roads quarter crack was far less severe than the ones which affected Big Brown and Touch Gold.
Compared to Big Brown, this is a nice picnic in Central Park, said McKinlay. And compared to Touch Gold, Big Brown was a picnic in the park. This is night and day and should be a minor deal.
A quarter crack is a crack that appears in the wall of the hoof, often starting at the coronet band, where the hoof meets the hair, and growing down. It can also start in the wall and move upward.
Oh! Flash Back Sorry