The Usual Q. T. Faces Nine in San Gabriel

The Usual Q. T., in his first appearance since placing third in the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) early last month, heads the field for the $150,000 San Gabriel Stakes (gr. IIT) on the second day of the Santa Anita winter racing season Dec. 27.

A field of 10, including three million-dollar earners, was entered in the 1 1/8-mile turf event. The eighth of nine races on the card, the San Gabriel is set for a 4 p.m. PST post. Among the rivals he'll face is Proudinsky, who has won the two previous renewals of the San Gabriel.

The Usual Q. T., a dual grade I winner, has had an eventful 2010 campaign for trainer Jim Cassidy, starting with a fourth-place finish in the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-I) on World Cup night at Meydan Racecourse in March. The 4-year-old California-bred son of Unusual Heat went on to score a two-length victory in the Eddie Read Stakes (gr. IT) at Del Mar Aug. 28 before concluding the year with three successive losses in grade I events.

He ran fifth in the Pacific Classic (gr. IT) over Del Mar's Polytrack, then returned to the turf for a runner-up effort in the Woodbine Mile (Can-IT) Sept. 19. He led at the sixteenth pole before yielding to Court Vision by 1 1/2 lengths.