Truly Quality repeats in Hollywood Turf Cup (Grade 2, two hundred thousand dollars) with a measured late kick

Jasmine Torrez

Defending his crown in the turf stakes, Truly Quality proved decisively superior while the early tempo was dictated by Balladeer under Edwin Maldonado. Partnered by Mirco Demuro, Truly Quality settled seventh—about five lengths back (roughly five horse-lengths)—and, on the second run up the backstretch with a half-mile remaining, he advanced cleanly in open air. Requist, stationed in second from the start, trimmed Balladeer’s cushion to half a length as Truly Quality loomed to their outside, an example of a classic stalking trip. Turning for home, the lead was seized by a head from Requist before he drew off, and the margin at the wire measured 1 3/4 lengths.

“He carries one steady gear, almost like a metronome, and I ride him with that in mind,” Mirco Demuro said, noting a small example of how rhythm matters. “Push too early and, once in front, he can idle; wait too long and the finish comes up fast. Because of my position and the Balladeer pace scenario, I could choose the moment to go. He’s smart, and down the lane he knew the job—he wanted the win.”

A homebred for George Strawbridge’s Augustin Stables and conditioned by Johnathan Thomas, Truly Quality—by Quality Road and now 5 years old—has a ledger of 16-6-4-3 with earnings of $630,495 (that shorthand reads 16 starts: 6 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds).

“Today he was excellent,” Jonathan Thomas remarked, offering a straightforward example of tactics. “Mirco got after him sooner than later, recognized the crawl early, and placed him properly down the backside. Once there, with his stamina, I expected him to stick around. The draw was tricky from post 7, and he surrendered some ground first turn, but the ride was spot-on.”

Entered via supplement for the Hollywood Turf Cup, Leonard Powell’s Flashiest rode the backstretch in tight quarters between rivals, then had to steady after contact from Nineeleventurbo on the outside (typical three-abreast squeeze). He angled out three wide for the drive and clung to second by a head over Nineeleventurbo and Antonio Fresu, with another head back to Requist in fourth.

On the tote board, Truly Quality paid $5.80 to win, $4.60 to place, and $3.00 to show (standard W‑P‑S). Flashiest, ridden by Armando Ayuso, returned $24.00 to place and $9.20 to show, while Nineeleventurbo delivered $3.60 for third.

Sectionals posted: 24.56, 48.86, 1:14.24, 1:40.05, 2:05.07; final clocking 2:29.67

The FanDuel Racing Turf Festival resumes on Saturday; first post is an early 11:30 AM, and the card features 11 races (eleven events on the program).

MIRCO DEMURO (Truly Quality, Winner) – “This horse is unbelievable; I also sit on him in the mornings, and he understands his task. Early on he can feel a bit idle, but when the stretch arrives he quickens—he wanted to roll, and you don’t break that cadence. He goes in one constant gear and stays; move too soon and, once in front, he can wait on rivals, but move too late and you run out of room. With where I was and with Balladeer controlling a sensible tempo, I could press the button at any time. He’s clever, knows his craft, and in the final furlong he was determined to win.”

JONATHAN THOMAS (Truly Quality, Winner) – “He looked tremendous today. Mirco (Demuro) did a fine job nudging him into the race early, read the slow fractions, and secured position down the backside. Once placed, I figured his staying power would keep him engaged. The outside draw in post 7 cost us some real estate on the first turn, but despite that he received a top-class ride.”