Truly Quality © Benoit Photo
Augustin Stables’ homebred Truly Quality came from the back of the pack to fire a big shot in the lane and take down honors in the 43rd running of the Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar Friday, covering a mile and one half on the turf course in 2:28.54 and returning $5.20 to his backers as the race’s 8/5 favorite.
The homebred 4-year-old gelding by top sire Quality Road was home first by half a length under Vincent Cheminaud in the $202,000, Grade II headliner. He’s trained by Jonathan Thomas. The rider/trainer combination clicked for the second time at the session having captured the Red Carpet Stakes last Sunday with Mrs. Astor, also for Augustin Stables.
Nine horses ran in the grassy marathon, the longest race in the track’s seven-race Turf Festival that closes out its Bing Crosby Season. Finishing second was Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables and Old Bones Racing Stable’s Balnikhov, who had a length and a half on Stepaside Farm’s Nineeleventurbo.
The tally was Truly Quality’s fifth – all on grass – in his 13th start. The $120,000 winner’s share increased his bankroll to $498,995.
Racing continues at Del Mar Saturday with a stakes tripleheader on tap, topped by the $300,000 Grade I Hollywood Derby. The day’s first post is the usual 12:30 p.m.
VINCENT CHEMINAUD (Truly Quality, winner) – “To be honest, I was careful about my horse today. The last time was Woodbine, it was a long straight. This time we know this racetrack is a short racetrack so, I was a little bit scared, but my horse was good today. The track was very good to us and he gave me a nice answer for the end. He is a nice horse, you know. He (trainer Jonathan Thomas) knows his horse. He proved he was the best today. The last time he was very lazy for the first half. Today it is better to ride him when he is relaxed and he feels pretty good.”
JONATHAN THOMAS (Truly Quality, winner) – “For whatever reason he’s falling off of the pace but he comes running and I thought his stamina really came into play today. Great ride given the circumstances with the wide post but we were able to save ground. Had we been drawn a little closer maybe we could have been in a position or two further ahead but it’s hard to complain with the outcome.”
FRACTIONS: :24.73 :49.27 1:11.74 1:38.71 2:04.00 2:28.54
The stakes win was the second of the meeting for rider Cheminaud and his second all time at Del Mar.
The stakes win was the second of the meeting for trainer Thomas and his second all time at Del Mar.
The winning owner is George Strawbridge, Jr. of Augustin Stables.