The Usual Q.T. Likely for Kilroe
Two-time Grade I stakes winner The Usual Q.T. is scheduled to work five furlongs on Santa Anita’s turf course Saturday and if all goes well, the 6-year-old California-bred son of Unusual Heat will run in the Grade I, $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile on turf on March 3.
“Mr. Commons is the horse to beat, of course,” said trainer Jim Cassidy, referring to streaking stakes winner Mr. Commons, who captured the Sir Beaufort and the Arcadia, each a Grade II race, in his last two starts.
“But on our best day, we can do it.”
The Usual Q.T. is winless in eight starts since taking the Grade I Eddie Read at Del Mar in July of 2010, but has never failed to earn a check in those eight races, finishing fifth as 5-2 favorite in the Pacific Classic on Polytrack and second twice and third five times after that. The bay gelding has earned $1,531,240.
Probable for the Kilroe: Compari, Rafael Bejarano; Jeranimo, Garrett Gomez; Make Music for Me, no rider; Massone, no rider; Mr. Commons, Mike Smith; The Usual Q.T., Victor Espinoza; and Willyconker, Joel Rosario.
John Sadler said Pathfork and Pressday would work this weekend, after which the trainer would decide on their Kilroe status.