Taking nothing away from Summer, but QR ran huge

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Originally Posted by Travis Stone

I don't know... I think Quality Road ran a big race. Yeah, the pace was slow, but the surface is fishy with that much rain so it's hard to determine. Plus, Quality Road broke outside which costs him a bit of ground, plus he was rank. Sure, he floated Summer Bird out, but Quality Road was only one path inside him...

That said, what impressed me was how Summer Bird took the race to Quality Road with four furlongs to go and Quality Road did not give up until past mid-stretch. Still, Summer Bird did not blow him away late like you would expect, the margin was less than one length. Kent whipped 'Bird enough times down the stretch - I think he was all-in.

Plus, Summer Bird relishes both the off-track and longer distances, so for Quality Road to stay in it for that long to me is a pretty big effort especially considering 10f is not up his wheelhouse. Take nothing away from Summer Bird because he's a really cool horse who is fast and talented, but Quality Road's effort was strong too.

QR ran a nice race but Summer Bird ran a nicer one in my opinion, he always looked like a winner going by when he wanted to, I think he had more to give if needed, the margin doesn't reflect the ease of the win, he was just idling when he hit the lead and I think the tap down the stretch was just a reminder tap by Kent. He certainly was not all out to win yesterday.