Qais Puts Perfection on Line

A half-brother to former Arc de Triomphe and English Derby winner Lammtarra, Qais has a right to be a quality colt. So far, the son of Seeking the Gold has not disappointed.

Unbeaten in three races, Qais will try to remain perfect in today’s $65,000 Coronado’s Quest at Belmont Park.

Owned by Godolphin Stable and trained by Tom Albertani, the 3-year-old won at first asking in Dubai on March 20, then was sent to New York. In his first start in this country, he won an allowance by 3 1/4 lengths on June 29 at Belmont Park, then was even more dominant on Aug. 30 at Saratoga.

The 4-5 favorite against five opponents in the $49,000 allowance at seven furlongs, Qais won by nine lengths under jockey Jerry Bailey.

Bailey will again have the mount in the one-mile Coronado’s Quest, which is the sixth race on the Belmont program.

The race includes three others coming off victories: American Mon, Conservation and Newfoundland. The other entrant is three-time winner Halo Homewrecker, who was last seen finishing 12th of 13 in the King’s Bishop, a Grade 1, on Aug. 23 at Saratoga.

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Race of the day: Tradition Rocks, 2 for 2 since being gelded and joining the Julio Canani barn, will try for his first win on the Santa Anita turf course in today’s seventh, a $58,000 optional claimer at one mile.

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One for the road: Oop’s The Red gets a confident boost in class by trainer Michael Reavis after being taken for $15,000 on Sept. 14 at Arlington Park. The 3-year-old Cartwright gelding also should appreciate dry land in today’s eighth at Hawthorne. Reavis won with six of his first 15 starters at Hawthorne.

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Exotically speaking: A pick four using Coconut Mango and Sun City Bradley in the fifth, The Herc and Tempestry in the sixth, singling Tradition Rocks in the seventh and Two Out Rally, In Excess Success and Kool Smoke in the eighth.

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Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/22. Money: Previous day/meet total: $29.20/$112. Total money bet: $126.