Truly Quality made history, matching the feat once achieved by the Argentine champion Lazy Lode
- Turf Diario
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Quality Road colt became the first horse in 26 years to win the GII Hollywood Turf Cup in back-to-back editions
DEL MAR, California (Special to Turf Diario)—It had been 25 years since any horse managed to win back-to-back editions of the GII Hollywood Turf Cup, but that drought ended Friday thanks to the strength, maturity and stamina of Truly Quality, the Augustin Stables runner who once again shined over 2400 meters on the Del Mar turf.
The son of Quality Road, trained by Jonathan Thomas and ridden by Italy’s Mirco Demuro, was the heavy public choice in a field of nine and delivered exactly as expected. With a sustained mid-race advance and a well-timed finishing kick, he settled the outcome with 1 3/4 lengths to spare, reaffirming his place among the top long-distance turf runners in the U.S.
Through the first half-mile, Truly Quality was seventh, well back of pacesetter Balladeer (Distorted Humor), who posted a :48.86 opening split. But approaching the backstretch for the second time, Demuro made an early and decisive move, circling horses with purpose and reaching third as the field crossed the mile in 1:40.05.
By the far turn, the race took shape. Reiquist (Nyquist) briefly struck the front at the quarter pole, but it was only a passing illusion. Sweeping outside with clear momentum, Truly Quality powered into the lane, took command with 200 meters to go, and drew off convincingly to stop the clock in 2:29.67 over firm ground.
Behind him, Flashiest (Mizzen Mast) produced a strong late kick to secure second despite a rough moment around the turn that triggered an inquiry. Nineeleventurbo (More Than Ready) finished third, a nose behind him, while Reiquist held fourth.
The repeat by Truly Quality carries historical weight. No horse had won consecutive runnings of the Hollywood Turf Cup since the Argentine star Lazy Lode (Lode), who captured the race in 1998 and 1999, back when the event held G1status at Hollywood Park. The race was downgraded in 2012 and moved to Del Mar two years later.
Truly Quality had been lightly campaigned since his 2024 victory here, making just two starts: a sixth-place finish in the GIII San Marcos at Santa Anita in February and a strong fourth—beaten only half a length—in the GII Del Mar Handicap on Aug. 30. For this title defense, Thomas opted to remove the blinkers, and the improvement was immediate.
Bred in Kentucky by George Strawbridge Jr., Truly Quality is out of Truly Together (Smart Strike), a stakes winner and dam of GII winner Mouffy (Uncle Mo). His second dam is none other than Forever Together (Belong to Me), the 2008 Champion Turf Female and an Augustin legend.
With this latest victory, Truly Quality improved his record to 6-4-3 from 16 starts, with earnings of $637,495.
