The Usual Q.T. takes Hollywood Derby spoils

Report: USA, Sunday

Hollywood Park: Hollywood Derby (Grade 1) 1m2f, turf,  3yo

TRAINER Jim Cassidy had wondered before the running of the Hollywood Derby why no one seemed to like his horse The Usual Q.T.,  winner of his last four going into the Hollywood Derby.

"What the hell hasthis horse done wrong?," he had asked.

The horse had lost his first five starts, finishing as the runner-up in four of them, then won his next four including the Oak Tree Derby. Now he is unbeaten in his last five startsafter adding the Hollywood Derby to his credits with ease under jockey Victor Espinoza.

"Everything just went my way," Espinoza said. "At the half-mile, he was just cruising, I mean really, really strong. In the middle of the turn I looked back and nobody was coming.

"I had so much horse I was just waiting for somebody to come up behind me. But there wasn't anybody. Turning for hime I let him go and he just cut. The way he ran today was unbelievable."

Cassidy said: "He had a perfect trip. He was loaded down the backside. Coming down the stretch, I think if he gets beat, he has to fall down because I know what he can do down the stretch. He's anabsolutely amazing  horse.

"It's a shame he's a California-bred because they kind of look down their nose at California-breds. But he beat an awful good field today."

Battle Of Hastings, sent away the 5-2 favourite, finally closed ground to finish second.

Take The Points, a Grade 1 winner on turf and the co-second choice with the winner, was in touch early before fading to finish seventh. 

Also on Sunday. . .

Hollywood Park: Miesque  Stakes (Grade 3) 1m, turf, 2yo fillies

THE MAILET (Bruce Levine/Joel Rosario), based in New York and making her West Coast debut,caused an upset in the Miesque when she landed a half-length victory at 12-1 over In The Slips, with22-10 favourite Connie And Michael a further half-length back in third.

"I had the perfect trip today," said winning rider Joel Rosario. "I was in the clear all by myself. When I asked her she started running and she got there easy.

"I know they couldn't wait to try her on turf. She really likes it. She acts like she'll keep going andgoing."