Usual Q.T. Scores in Hollywood Derby

by Patricia Woo | Nov 30 2009

The $300,000 Gr. 1 Hollywood Derby on Sunday, Nov. 29 was the penultimate race of the Turf Festival at Hollywood Park and capped off an amazing long weekend of turf racing. Seeking one of the final Gr. 1 turf titles of the year was a field of 12 that included Straight Story, race favorite Battle of Hastings and Al Khali. But it was The Usual Q.T., along with jockey Victor Espinoza, who put together the perfect trip and added yet another victory to his growing consecutive win streak.

The Usual Q.T. has been progressing in huge strides since breaking his maiden in early August at Del Mar. He hasn't looked back since being switched to turf, a surface he has demonstrated his ability to excel on. The Unusual Heat gelding went on to win an optional claimer in September, also at Del Mar, followed by a stakes race in October, the California Cup Mile Handicap at Santa Anita Park. His first attempt at a stakes win resulted in victory in the Gr. 2 Oak Tree Derby at Santa Anita Park on Nov. 7. And now this James Cassidy trainee can add a Grade 1 score to his already impressive resume: the Hollywood Derby.

Acclamation chased Straight Story and Take the Points early on in the 1 ¼ mile race for 3-year-olds and up, and took over the lead as the field entered the final stretch. The Usual Q.T., under jockey Victor Espinoza, claimed an inside route early on, and in the upper stretch, made his move past longshot Acclamation. Battle of Hastings, with Garrett Gomez aboard, made a valiant effort in a bid for the lead down the stretch but could not get past The Usual Q.T., who cruised to a 2-length win in 1:59.69.

Online horse betting & horse racing odds at Bodog Racetrack

"I don't think I would have [started him in the Hollywood Derby] if he didn't have a chance," Cassidy said after the race. "Down the backstretch, I thought, ‘Wow, he's loaded.' The only way he loses is falling down, so we're very pleased."

This is the second time that Battle of Hastings has had to settle for second place behind The Usual Q.T. Trained by Jeff Mullins, this 3-year-old son of Royal Applause also fell just short of the Oak Tree Derby title on Nov. 7. He has enjoyed a fairly profitable 2009, however, with over $1M in earnings this year alone. In nine starts, he has finished out of the top three only once, and seven of those nine have been top-2 scores.

75-1 longshot Acclamation finished third, a pleasant surprise for trainer Warren Donald; his 3-year-old charge (also a son of Unusual Heat) has been to the winner's circle just once this year, in an optional claimer in August at Del Mar - though he did claim third place in the Gr. 2 Del Mar Derby in September. David Flores had the mount for the first time in the Hollywood Derby. Though he tired in the stretch run, allowing Battle of Hastings to get by him, Acclamation had enough in the tank to withstand a bid from Al Khali, who finished fourth.

Rounding out the order of finish: Rescue Squad, Meteore, Take the Points, Black Bear Island, Straight Story, Sal the Barber, Sir Al and Blazing Spirit.

Get in on all the horse racing action! Bet on horse racing at the Bodog Racebook!