Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - Florida Derby winner Quality Road appears to be recovered from his quarter-crack of the right hind foot. One of the favorites for this year's Kentucky Derby, Quality Road worked out Friday morning at Belmont Park.

Trained by Jimmy Jerkens, the colt breezed six-furlongs on Belmont Park's training track in 1:12.03. Under exercise rider Juan Moreno he galloped out in 1:25.55.

"He went good, a little faster than I intended," Jerkens said. "His foot looked like it's all right, too. Usually when you get this far, it's OK."

Jerkens said that Edward Evan's Kentucky Derby contender will leave for Churchill Downs on Tuesday, April 28. He will send Quality Road out again next Saturday or Sunday.

"The weather will have a lot to do with it," Jerkens indicated.

Quality Road won the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park prior to his Florida Derby victory. He has won three of four career starts with earnings of $632,830.

On Thursday at Belmont Park, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin announced that Mafaaz will not start in the Run for the Roses. Mafaaz was guaranteed a spot in the Kentucky Derby with his win in the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes in England last month. He was eighth in the Blue Grass Stakes on April 11.

"Rick Nichols (Shadwell Farm vice-president) spoke with Sheikh Hamdan and said he has elected not to run Mafaaz in the Kentucky Derby," McLaughlin said. "We have sent him to the farm (in Lexington, KY) for a week or two, and then he will come to New York. We'll get him here and get him into our program, and then look for a grass race for him."

McLaughlin took over the training of Mafaaz on Thursday from England-based trainer John Gosden.

The defection of Mafaaz from the Kentucky Derby opens a space in the 20 horse field to the top graded stakes earners. Going into Saturday's Lexington Stakes that final spot belongs to Mr. Hot Stuff.