Essential Quality rallies to win Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Godolphin homebred Essential Quality unleashed a late rally from near the back of the 14-horse field Friday to win the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland.

Sent off the 7-2 second choice, Essential Quality and jockey Luis Saez took the overland route on the far turn and grinded past 94-1 long shot Hot Rod Charlie in the stretch to prevail by three-quarters of a length. The winning time was 1:42.09, faster than the 1:42.30 clocked in the Juvenile Fillies earlier on the card.

Essential Quality provided a first Breeders' Cup win for Saez and the second of the day for trainer Brad Cox, who also won the Juvenile Fillies Turf with Aunt Pearl.

Hot Rod Charlie, a southern California shipper for trainer Doug O'Neill, held second by 1 1/4 lengths over Keepmeinmind. Odds-on favorite Jackie's Warrior was another 1 1/4 lengths back in fourth to complete the superfecta.

Essential Quality paid $9.40.

Saez indicated the early deficit for Essential Quality, who found himself in eighth some 13 lengths back after an opening half mile in 45:31, was not a concern.

“I had a perfect trip, a beautiful trip," Saez said. "My horse broke so well. He was in the right spot. I knew there was going to be a lot of speed so we were in the right spot. At the three-eighths he gave me that kick so I knew we had a chance to win the race. He can run all day. He’s a nice horse.” 

Godolphin's win in the Juvenile came one year after its undefeated colt Maxfield -- the morning-line favorite -- was scratched from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park because of a leg injury. 

Cox acknowledged in the post-race press conference there were moments of trepidation early when Essential Quality found himself so far off the early pace.

"I was a touch concerned going into the first turn," Cox said. "I thought those horses were just faster and they kind of got away from him. He took some dirt...I wasn't sure he was carrying himself into the bridle.

"Then I think I saw a 45 and change for the half mile and Luis started to pick it up. When he started to pick off a few horses and I thought, 'this horse is going to come. I don't know if he's going to get there, but he's going to make a run at them.'"

By Tapit out of the Elusive Quality mare Delightful Quality, Essential Quality improved to 3-for-3. He was a debut winner by four lengths at Churchill Downs on Sept. 5 and came back to score by 3 1/4 lengths in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 3. 

"He's been really good since day one," Cox said. "He has a tremendous amount of talent and it's been on display in three starts. Just an amazing animal."

As for 4-5 favorite Jackie's Warrior, trainer Steve Asmussen cited the sharp pace as his downfall.

“It is obviously disappointing but the fractions were just too fast. He’s accomplished a lot coming into here. We planned on winning but ended up fourth. Pace makes the race and we ended up fourth.” 

Cox said he and the team from Godolphin will take their time before charting a course for Essential Quality, the likely 2-year-old champion and now early favorite for the 2021 Kentucky Derby.

"The Derby is the obvious dream, but we'll put the horse first and let the dust settle," Cox said. "We'll see how he comes out of the race and map a plan for this winter. But we're very excited about this colt next year and his 3-year-old campaign.