Quick Tempo will run Saturday in the G2 Bing Crosby at Del Mar. He is listed at 12-1 against a field that includes last year’s BC Sprint runner-up CZ Rocket.
The choice was to run in this race against older horses, but only go 6 furlongs vs. going 6 1/2 vs straight 3 year olds in the Amsterdam at Saratoga. Del Mar was willing to pay expenses, and the winner gets a free pass to the BC Sprint. Shipping to Saratoga is a hassle because it is hard to get stall space.
QT is second off a 6 month layoff. He has been at Del Mar for more than a week. I do not mind trying older horses. I am surprised the field has grown to 9 horses, which is more than most California stakes races.
I will give the Dare to Dream guys an A- for creativity. The easy choice was the Amsterdam, but it looks likes Jackie’s Warrior will be there. QT’s 94 Beyer at Prairie Meadow gives him a reasonable shot in this field.
It has been a wild ride from the 2020 Ocala training sale to a G2 at Del Mar. I wish I could be standing in the paddock, but travel is too much of a hassle right now.
———————————————————
There is no joy in Mudville, mighty Quick Tempo has struck out.
QT could not out sprint the California speed. He got a mouthful of dirt for the first time and packed it in. The final time of the race was almost exactly what the winner (Dr. Schivel) ran as a maiden 12 months ago. How can a Grade 2 race for older horses at 6 furlongs have the same final time a 2 yr old MSW race a year before?
Were the horses that bad? Or was the track that slow? Was the race mis-timed?
If the track was that slow then the split of 44.67 might have been way too fast.
The horse that beat QT at Prairie Meadows, Special Reserve, lost the G1 Vanderbilt by a nose, in a very fast time.
Buying A Race Horse 