QUALITY ROAD DERBY STATUS IN QUESTION WITH SECOND QUARTER CRACK
From New York Racing Association Press Office
Quality Road, one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby, has developed another quarter-crack, putting his status for the May 2 “Run for the Roses” in question.
Trainer Jimmy Jerkens said Friday morning at Belmont Park he first noticed the crack, this one on the inside of his right-front hoof, on Thursday after the Elusive Quality colt returned from a routine morning gallop.
“He wasn’t sore or anything,” said Jerkens. “We brought him in to pull his shoes afterward and that’s when we noticed it.”
Jerkens said he was optimistic that Quality Road, who appears fully recovered from a slight quarter-crack in his right-hind hoof, could still make the 1¼-mile Derby. Noted hoof specialist Ian McKinley, who successfully patched the first injury, is scheduled to treat the crack Friday afternoon.
A quarter crack is a crack that appears in the wall of the hoof, often starting at the coronet band, where the hoof meets the hair, and growing down. It can also start in the wall and move upward.
"If Ian can lace it this afternoon, and the horse can gallop tomorrow, he could put a patch on right away and he can breeze on Sunday," said Jerkens. "If he wants to wait another day, he can gallop Sunday, and then breeze Monday."
Quality Road, owned by Edward P. Evans, is scheduled to depart Belmont Park for Churchill Downs on Tuesday. The record-setting winner of the Florida Derby owns a 3-1-0 record and earnings of $632,830.
Statement from hoof specialist Ian McKinlay, regarding Quality Road:
“I saw Quality Road (Thursday) morning and that’s when we noticed the crack [in the right-front hoof]. I did him up with Animalintex (poultice), which draws out the infection. This morning, the crack was very clean. Obviously, he didn’t go to the track, so they tubbed him. They’ll dry him up and I’ll see him later this afternoon.
“It was a straight crack, with no infection. I really don’t think it is as serious as the other one [right-hind quarter crack]. If we were able to get right on top of it, I’ll probably lace it this afternoon. You have to remember that we are dealing with a living organism and it has a mind of its own. There is only so much we can do, and then we hope for the best. I’ll know more when I see him this afternoon, and Saturday morning will tell us a lot.”
Tags: ian mckinley, jimmy jerkens, kentucky derby, Paulick Report, Quality Road, quarter crack
April 24th, 2009 at 10:53 am
KArap! Here come the Fates.
Speedy recovery QR and that the connections always do the right thing for the horse. We are getting into KD training crunch time. This is going to be hard on QR and the odds.
April 24th, 2009 at 11:02 am
[...] The Paulick Report has the initial report from the New York Racing Association. [...]
April 24th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Oh no, I hate to see a great horse like QR not make it to the Derby, but I really, really hope they don’t run him. Quarter cracks can become serious and the only way to be sure they aren’t a problem is when it’s grown out.
April 24th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Darn it. I had such high hopes for Quality Road in the Derby, but when it comes down to the Health of the Horse….their Health and Well Being is Much More Important than my dreams.
I first feel in love with Quality Road from his reading his bloodlines. On his Sire side: Gone West, Mr. Prospector, and Secretariat is his Great Great Grand Sire. On his Dam side: he has Alydar. Talk about Quality Race Horses ! After I saw him race, I felt we might have a Triple Crown winner this year. I Pray Quality Road’s hoof heals and he feels better soon. We love you Big Guy