Essential Quality impresses in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Let the Derby buzz begin.

Two months removed from his first race and six months away from the ultimate goal, Essential Quality is looking a lot like a horse of destiny. At the very least, he’s given his connections reason to dream.

The 2-year-old son of Tapit took over in the stretch to win the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland on Friday, capping the first day of the 2020 World Championships and kicking off the beginning of Kentucky Derby buzz season.

For the striking gray colt’s human connections, it’s going to be quite the wait.

Essential Quality is trained by Brad Cox, a Louisville native — one who grew up just a few blocks from Churchill Downs, in fact — and a trainer whose star has been on the rise in recent years. He turned 40 in March, and he’s never had a starter in his hometown Kentucky Derby.

Now, he has the early favorite.

Cox didn’t shy away from the idea in the moments following Friday’s victory.

“Well sure, it’s the obvious thought,” he said. “Or the dream, I guess you would say.”

Essential Quality is a Godolphin homebred. That outfit has been a major player in the sport for more than two decades, and it’s sent 11 horses to the Kentucky Derby starting gate. None has finished better than fourth.

Jimmy Bell, the president of Godolphin’s U.S. operations, couldn’t help but look a few months into the future — toward the first Saturday in May — as the sun set on Keeneland on Friday evening.

“If you didn’t, you probably wouldn’t be in this business,” he said. “A lot of it is based on dreams, and those who are lucky and fortunate enough to live the dream — which we have done — certainly, you dream.”

Essential Quality was ridden in the Juvenile by Luis Saez, who had finished no better than seventh in six Kentucky Derby starts before he crossed the finish line first aboard Maximum Security last year. That joy was brief. Maximum Security was disqualified for veering out in the far turn under Saez and placed 17th on Derby Day.

Saez won his first Breeders’ Cup race Friday.

“Luis stayed after him the whole way,” Cox said of the ride aboard Essential Quality. “He overcame a lot today. He’s a nice colt, and distance is no issue with him. He’ll run all day.”

Cox knew early on that he had something special. Essential Quality ran his first race Sept. 5 on the Kentucky Derby undercard — how’s that for a sign? — and won going away at 6 furlongs. His human connections started him off short, but that was just a warm-up. Bell said every time that Essential Quality would work out, Cox would tell him the same thing.

“Jimmy, this horse isn’t breathin’. He just loves the distance.”

Last month, Essential Quality came to Keeneland and won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity. On that day, he raced at the front, took the lead as the field entered the far turn, and never gave it up. On Friday, the going was a bit tougher. Essential Quality raced mid-pack in the 14-horse field and was still a few lengths back entering the stretch. Once he got pointed forward, he took over, passing odds-on favorite Jackie’s Warrior and 94-1 shot Hot Rod Charlie before winning the Juvenile by three-quarters of a length. Hot Rod Charlie stayed up for second, 30-1 shot Keepmeinmind charged for third, and Jackie’s Warrior — after chasing a quick pace — faded to fourth.

History says Essential Quality won’t win the Derby six months from now. Only six runners in the Juvenile, which has been around since 1984, have ever done so. Only two — Street Sense and Nyquist — have won both races.

Right now, that history doesn’t matter. There’s only the future.

“I’m very excited about this horse next year and his 3-year-old campaign,” Cox said. “I do feel the sky’s the limit for this colt.”

Breeders’ Cup

At Keeneland Race Course

Friday’s winners

Juvenile Turf Sprint: Golden Pal

Juvenile Turf: Fire At Will

Juvenile Fillies: Vequist

Juvenile Fillies Turf: Aunt Pearl

Juvenile: Essential Quality

Saturday’s schedule

(All times p.m.)

12:02: Filly and Mare Sprint (NBC SN)

12:39: Turf Sprint (NBC SN)

1:18: Dirt Mile (NBC SN)

1:57: Filly & Mare Turf (NBC SN)

2:36: Sprint (NBC-18)

3:15: Mile (NBC-18)

3:54: Distaff (NBC-18)

4:33: Turf (NBC-18)

5:18: Classic (NBC-18)

This story was originally published November 6, 2020 at 5:44 PM.

Ben Roberts

Lexington Herald-Leader

859-429-2848

Ben Roberts is the University of Kentucky men’s basketball beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He has previously specialized in UK basketball recruiting coverage and created and maintained the Next Cats blog. He is a Franklin County native and first joined the Herald-Leader in 2006. Support my work with a digital subscription