And just like that, the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing is over.
Essential Quality won the Belmont Stakes Saturday evening. The Brad H. Cox-trained colt came in fourth in the Kentucky Derby. He also did his lineage proud, becoming the fourth Belmont winner to be sired by Tapit.
The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes still didn t look quite as they usually do in 2021 as measures were taken to mitigate COVID-19, but things certainly felt more normal than in 2020, when the three legs of the Triple Crown were run out of order: Belmont Stakes in late June, Kentucky Derby in early September and Preakness Stakes in October.
Essential Quality Masters Test Of The Champion; Cox, Saez Celebrate First Classic Winners Sponsored by:
Essential Quality (Tapit) and jockey Luis Saez win the Belmont Stakes (I) at Belmont Park 6/5/21. Trainer: Brad Cox. Owner: Godolphin Stable
Godolphin homebred Essential Quality entered the starting gate as the undefeated favorite in the Kentucky Derby, but a difficult start marred the first Saturday in May for the talented gray son of Tapit. Instead, the first Saturday in June proved to be Essential Quality s coming out party, with a 1 1/2-length victory over Hot Rod Charlie as the 6-5 favorite in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes. Tapit has now sired four Belmont winners.
Essential Quality adds Belmont Stakes to memorable haul for Godolphin
Sun 6 Jun 2021
Essential Quality put the seal on a day to remember for Godolphin with victory in the Belmont Stakes in New York on Saturday night.
Just hours after the Charlie Appleby-trained Adayar stormed to glory in the Cazoo Derby at Epsom, Brad Cox’s Essential Quality produced a high-class performance of his own to land the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Having lost his unbeaten record when a close fourth in the Kentucky Derby, the grey Tapit colt was given a fine ride by Luis Saez who was alive to the brisk pace set by Hot Rod Charlie and Rock Your World, wary of not leaving his mount too much to do.
Essential Quality lived up to his favorite status and took the Belmont Stakes handily from his rival Hot Rod Charlie in the stretch. Hot Rod Charlie held on to place, and Rombauer finished third. The duel valued grit and patience in getting to the end of the mile-and-a-half. Here s the breakdown.