Stakes Quotes

JOCKEY QUOTES

JOEL ROSARIO, IRISH ART, WINNER: “He ran a very good race today down the hill. I don’t know how good the competition was, but he ran a really good race. The first race where he broke his maiden he went right to the lead but there was not a lot of speed that day. Today he stuck close to the pace, so I think he can do whatever he wants to do.”

TRAINER QUOTES

CARLA GAINES, IRISH ART, WINNER: “We were worried about the one hole, but as it turned out, it wasn’t an issue. Look at him. It looks like he didn’t even run. He took to the course like a duck to water.”

JOCKEY QUOTES

PATRICK VALENZUELA, ISMENE, WINNER: “I worked her at Del Mar and she worked very well for me down there. I knew she would pop the first time out. She’s a Cal-bred and today she ran against some good fillies. She sure did her thing today.”
When asked about trainer Bill Spawr’s directions to take a hold of her at the start: “She broke so good you’ve got to call an audible when those things happen. I did take a hold of her anyways and waited maybe one run out with her, but unfortunately she was on the lead, but it was fortunate for me.”

JOCKEY QUOTES

MARTIN GARCIA, UP IN TIME, WINNER: “The race set up perfect. She’s a good filly and she took me to where I wanted to be. I wanted to get the jump on the other horses, and that’s exactly what happened. When I asked her she just took off. I’m very lucky to ride for Simon Callaghan because he doesn’t ride that many jocks, just the lucky ones I guess.”

TRAINER QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

MARTIN PEDROZA, ULTIMATE EAGLE, WINNER: “I really didn’t want to be in a speed duel, but I had a fast horse and had to use it to my advantage. I had an inside post and the other speed horse came beside me and I took advantage of that into the first turn. My horse was going fast but he was pretty comfortable. There was never a doubt in my mind he could run this big. In my mind he was not 40-1 or whatever his odds were. I like this horse and I told Mike “wow” when I worked him last. That’s all I can say about this horse.”

TRAINER QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

JOEL ROSARIO, HOME SWEET ASPEN, WINNER: “It was easy because she went to the lead, and that’s how she likes to run. I had to keep her working coming for home. A couple horses started coming a little bit, but she started kicking away. There were some tough horses in here.”

TRAINER QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

MIKE SMITH, AMAZOMBIE, WINNER: “He just oozes class. You have to really give a lot of credit to Bill (Spawr) and his crew. He’s a big strong horse and Bill just keeps him happy, sound, and fit. He just runs dynamite and never runs a bad one. Today was one of his very good ones, and being back on dirt helps a real lot. He deserves his chance now in the Breeders’ Cup. He’s got great tactical speed, a great turn of foot, and a race at Churchill Downs could really set up well for him. We’ll see what happens.”

TRAINER QUOTES