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Saratoga success was Godolphin colt’s seventh victory in eight career starts.
The Travers Stakes is next on the agenda for Essential Quality after he registered his seventh career victory at Saratoga.
Making his first appearance since landing the Belmont Stakes in June, Brad Cox's Godolphin-owned colt was a red-hot favourite for Saturday's Grade Two Jim Dandy Stakes.
The son of Tapit was made to work hard after challenging wide in the straight, but dug deep for rider Luis Saez to get the better of Keepmeinmind by half a length.
"Essential Quality really had to battle down the lane," Cox told www.godolphin.com.
"The runner-up ran a huge race – he slipped up the inside and made for some anxious moments down the lane – but Essential Quality showed the heart of a champion. He had to battle to win it.
"It looked like he had an extremely wide trip around both turns, and he may have run a mile and a quarter, judging by the amount of ground he lost. I am proud of the effort – he is all racehorse and he tries hard.
"It's almost like it took nothing out of him. He has a tremendous amount of stamina. I am proud of him – and congratulations to Godolphin and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. It's testament to their breeding programme, with the stamina in this horse."
Cox is expecting Essential Quality to improve en route to the Travers Stakes on August 28.
He added: "Essential Quality is carrying a good bit of weight, and I am really glad we ran him here in preparation for the Travers Stakes.
"He has been doing really well here, but I don't know if he thinks he is on vacation in Saratoga – because he has really put on weight. I am thinking that we will have a sharper horse in four weeks.
"This will do more for his fitness than anything, and I am glad we got this out of the way. I'm happy with the performance – and it's on to the Travers."