GRADE III, $100,000 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO STAKES QUOTES 

GRADE III, $100,000 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO STAKES QUOTES 

JOCKEY QUOTES

HECTOR I. BERRIOS, GOLD PHOENIX, WINNER: “He was the most talented horse. He broke perfect. I knew it was a long race, he felt comfortable. On the backstretch, he started passing horses really nicely. In the stretch, I put him on the outside and he quickened. I looked at the (infield video board) and saw the other horses were maybe five lengths back. I just sat and let him go easy to the finish.”

TRAINER QUOTES

PHIL D’AMATO, GOLD PHOENIX, WINNER:”I just loved the move he was making around the three-eighths pole it looked like he was just kind of inhaling them. I felt really good by the time he got to the top of the lane. He looked like he was just in a gallop there. Ultra impressive. This is one of my most favorite races watching as a kid. It means a lot to me to win this race, especially with this horse.

“This is such a beautiful race, it’s so unique--there’s not one like it. It should keep its prestige, hopefully Gold Phoenix winning it helps with that.”

OWNER QUOTES

BILLY KOCH, LITTLE RED FEATHER RACING, GOLD PHOENIX, WINNER: “It is very rare in a race where you don’t have to root, holler and cheer. He made that look really easy. I don’t think the distance was a problem. Special thanks to Phil his team and Hector.

“I think it is hard to put into words. Everyone just loves him and he is so kind around the barn. I can’t tell you how many retirement facilities have called me up saying they want him when he’s done. But who knows when that might be because it sure didn’t look like it today. He has been a very special horse and we appreciate all the people that were involved. I really go back to Phil D’Amato and all the work he has done with this horse. Spaced his races and really just taken the best possible care. The rest was up to him. He is just awesome.”

NOTES: The winning owners are Agave Racing Stable, Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, LLC and Marsha Naify.