Disco Partner last to first to capture Elusive Quality

by Heather Pettinger

Patricia Genarazio's homebred Disco Partner charged down the stretch to post a last-to-first victory in the fourth running of the $150,000 Elusive Quality for 4-year-olds and up at seven furlongs on the Widener turf course Saturday at Belmont Park.

Disco Partner, sent off as the 5-2 favorite, settled last in the field of seven as Siding Spring assumed early command to set the opening quarter in 23.75 seconds and the half in 47.66. Saving ground with Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard, the 5-year-old New York-bred by Disco Rico found room in the clear on the outside and exploded through the final quarter to win by 1 ¾ lengths.

"I had to wait a little while after the turn, but it worked out good," said Ortiz. "With the kind of horse that comes off the pace, I knew I was going to have to go around them because they were going to take cover in the turn. I was stuck in there when we were turning for home and I knew I had a lot of horse, so I had to take him around and just let him do his thing."

The winner completed seven furlongs in 1:22.61. Improving his record to 16-6-4-2 for earnings of $456,810, Disco Partner returned $7.80 for a $2 win wager.

The win was the first for Disco Partner, who also won the 2016 Troy in Saratoga, since transferring to the Christophe Clement barn from Jimmy Ryerson last fall.

"He was very impressive today," said Clement. "They went fairly slow up front and Irad gave him a perfect trip to put himself in a position to win. I've got to give a lot of credit to the previous trainer, he came to me in very good shape. He's a very nice horse. It's fun because I trained Pure Sensation who ran against Disco Partner and for the same owners, Mr. and Mrs. Generazio, so it's wonderful."

Kharafa got a head in front of Siding Spring in the final strides to secure second. Great Wide Open, Hammers Vision, Calgary Cat and Never Gone South completed the order of finish.