SANTA BARBARA HANDICAP QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

ALEX SOLIS, MAGICAL FANTASY, WINNER: “I had a perfect trip until we got to the three eighths pole. Espinoza (Victor, aboard Toque de Queda) came up inside on the rail and I had to put the brakes on and I lost all my momentum. She got back into the race right away though, and we got the job done, but she should have won by two or three lengths. She’s a nice filly and getting back on the grass is better for her. I knew it was close and to be honest, I wasn’t sure if she had her nose down on the wire.”

TRAINER QUOTES

PADDY GALLAGHER, MAGICAL FANTASY, WINNER: “I felt like the other filly (mare, Black Mamba) had it right before (the wire), and then my filly (Magical Fantasy) came on. I would have taken a dead-heat . . . It doesn’t get much better than this.”

JOHN SADLER, BLACK MAMBA, SECOND: “She was very wide turning for home. There was just no room for her to get through on the inside . . . At first I thought we got beat a nose, and then when I watched it (the replay), it was really close. She’s been a good horse for us, and she always runs well. You like to win, but
. . . “

NOTES: Gallagher said he would look at the Grade I Gamely Breeders’ Cup Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Hollywood Park on May 30 for Magical Fantasy’s next race. The winning owners are David Bienstock, Paul Mandabach and Charles Winner.

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