NEW YORK (AP) -Todd Pletcher's had quite a month of May. It began with his first Kentucky Derby win with Super Saver, and ended with his first Metropolitan Handicap win with Quality Road on Sunday.

Now, it could turn out to be quite a year for Quality Road. Unlucky as a 3-year-old, Quality Road is a perfect 3-0 as a 4-year-old.

In winning the $500,000 Met Mile by 1 1/2 lengths, Quality Road produced an effort that had Pletcher marveling at the brilliance of the colt he took over training last summer.

``It was very impressive, and watching him come back and seeing how he hardly took a deep breath, it's unbelievable how talented he is,'' Pletcher said. ``He's such a versatile horse. He set a track record at Saratoga at 6 1/2 furlongs and two track records at Gulfstream at 1 1-8 miles. He showed today he's a brilliant miler.''

Fresh and well rested in his first race in nearly four months, Quality took charge just after the start and barely broke a sweat in holding off a mild challenge from runner-up Musket Man.

Ridden by John Velazquez, Quality Road covered the mile in 1:33.11 over a fast track in winning for the seventh time in 10 career starts for owner Edward P. Evans. The time equaled the second fastest for the race, with Honour and Glory winning in 1:32.81 in 1996. Langfuhr also won in 1:33.11 in 1997.

``The first quarter was easy enough for him, and I thought `let them come get him,''' Velazquez said. ``After that we picked it up. He was game today.''

Quality Road, the 1-4 favorite, returned $2.50, $2.10 and $2.10. Musket Man, who has hit the board in all 12 of his career starts, paid $3.50 and $2.90. Tizway paid $5.50 to show.

Convocation was fourth, followed by Le Grand Cru, Warrior's Reward, Kensei and You and I Forever.

Quality Road started the year with a victory in the Hal's Hope on Jan. 3 at Gulfstream Park and followed up with a 12 3/4-length win in the Donn Handicap on Feb. 6.

By design, Pletcher kept Quality Road away from the races to have him ready for what could turn into a championship season. Pletcher is planning a campaign that would lead to the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in November.

Pletcher said he'll consider the Suburban on July 3, then the Whitney on Aug. 7 and the Woodward on Sept. 4 for Quality Road but said ``you want to make sure he's still peaking in November, too, so you want to be careful how many times you take him over there. But my first impression was this was not a taxing race.''

A year ago, Quality Road would have been the favorite for the Derby, but foot injuries knocked the son of Elusive Quality out of the Triple Crown races. Evans then took the horse from trainer Jimmy Jerkens and sent him to Pletcher.

The colt won the Amsterdam in his first start for Pletcher, then finished third in the Travers and second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. He had to be scratched from the BC Classic at Santa Anita after a scary incident in which he refused to be loaded into the starting gate.

If he keeps winning, Quality Road may get another chance at the Classic.