GRADE II, $200,000 OAK LEAF STAKES QUOTES

GRADE II, $200,000 OAK LEAF STAKES QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

JUAN HERNANDEZ, EXPLORA, WINNER:“She relaxed really good today and she’s improving a lot. Before, she just wanted to break fast and go to the lead. But today she learned how to settle behind the pace and then responded when I asked. Around the three-eighths pole, I started to pick it up and she responded right away and finished really strong. She’s learning how to run and how to relax, and that’s a big step forward.”

TRAINER QUOTES

BOB BAFFERT, EXPLORA, WINNER: “At the quarter pole, I was wondering if she was really relaxing or not running, but we found out she was relaxing. When it was time to go, she took off. That was our plan today was to get her to relax and not go for the lead right away. I was happy with the day. The horses tell us what they want to do. I was impressed with Mullins’ horse (Intrepido, winner of the GI American Pharoah Stakes). I thought Desert Gate was home free. He hasn’t figured it out yet.”

NOTES: The winning owners are Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman.