Essential Quality Masters Test Of The Champion; Cox, Saez Celebrate First Classic Winners Sponsored by: Essential Quality (Tapit) and jockey Luis Saez win the Belmont Stakes (I) at Belmont Park 6/5/21. Trainer: Brad Cox. Owner: Godolphin Stable Godolphin homebred Essential Quality entered the starting gate as the undefeated favorite in the Kentucky Derby, but a difficult start marred the first Saturday in May for the talented gray son of Tapit. Instead, the first Saturday in June proved to be Essential Quality's coming out party, with a 1 1/2-length victory over Hot Rod Charlie as the 6-5 favorite in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes. Tapit has now sired four Belmont winners.