Stakes Quotes

JOCKEY QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

MIKE SMITH, AMAZOMBIE, WINNER: “Bill (Spawr) and I discussed that we were going to follow the number one horse (Atta Boy Roy). But he didn’t get away so well. When he didn’t get away, I just worked on getting out in the clear. So I just kept on needling my way out and I finally got out in the clear. I was able to sit there and make a run with (Steve) Asmussen’s horse (Captain Cherokee). We both fought it out to the end. He’s one of the coolest little horses I’ve been around. He’s just so full of class, and he knows what he’s out there for.”

TRAINER QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

JOEL ROSARIO, GILDED GEM, WINNER: “I’ve ridden her before and I moved a little early last time. Today I took my time and she responded well. She’s the kind of horse that wants to come from a little bit off the pace. I just let her relax and find her stride.”

TRAINER QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

COREY NAKATANI, CHURCH CAMP, WINNER: “The race set up pretty much the way I thought it would. The horse right next to me (Jax El) had early speed, and the horse Patrick Valenzuela (Briecat) was on is tactical. So I was just patient, moved to the outside, and just tried to give her a little breather from the half-mile to the quarter-pole. I set her in a spot I knew would be good enough, and I was trying not to move too soon because she was at such a high cruising speed.

JOCKEY QUOTES

MARTIN PEDROZA, WORTH REPEATING, WINNER: “I rode this horse before and this is the kind that once you ride it, you fall in love with it. He was (Rafael) Bejarano’s horse, and I picked the horse up after Bejarano had the spill at Del Mar. He ran good and Richard (Mandella) was very happy. But Richard has his own riders and I was hoping to hook up with this horse again someday in the future. Today was the day. I got to know the horse, and it paid off.