JOCKEY QUOTES  FLAVIEN PRAT, TOINETTE, WINNER: “It didn’t look like there was much speed in the race, so we didn’t want to be too far behind. As you could see, she was very comfortable and she won pretty easy today. Yes, I’m glad to hear she’s going to run next year. I think she can be […]

JOCKEY QUOTES VICTOR ESPINOZA, FLAGSTAFF, WINNER: (On Flagstaff’s finish) “Excellent. He ran a big race and he fought all the way to the wire. He definitely didn’t want to get beat today.” (On the trip) “It was great. It worked out well. For a minute I thought it was going to be a little complicated. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOEL ROSARIO, MO FORZA, WINNER:  “He was a little rank leaving the gate, but I had him in hand.  He was pulling, but not that bad.  He relaxed really well on the first turn and settled into racing.  This was a special win for me, since it was for Barry Abrams.  When I […]

JOCKEY QUOTES  GEOVANNI FRANCO, JUST GRAZED ME, WINNER: “We broke nice and she settled into a good spot. There were some really fast fillies in there today. She just does what she does and took off on the turn. Once she pinned her ears back, there was no way they were going to catch her.” KENT […]

JOCKEY QUOTES       VICTOR ESPINOZA, TAP BACK, WINNER:  “I wasn’t sure about him.  He ran well for me the first time and then didn’t seem the same horse when we ran third.  Today when we were warming up on the backside, he felt like he was back to normal, just like the first time I […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MIKE SMITH, BEEN STUDYING HER, WINNER:  “She absolutely cruised.  I don’t think she took a breath. We left the gate well and relaxed and got into her rhythm. I stayed out of her way.  I tickled her on the turn and she took off.  It got me to thinking maybe we should have […]

JOCKEY QUOTES       DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, ITSINTHEPOST, WINNER: “I didn’t want to get in his way too much, so I just let him go. Jeff (Mullins) had him super ready.  We have been working him on the training track and getting ready for this race.  I looked back to see Campaign because he was my […]

JOCKEY QUOTES DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, RONALD R, WINNER: “I told Ron (Ellis) that there is plenty of speed in here and it sets up well for us on paper.  I had a rather smooth trip and I had alota horse. I had to back him up a little when we got to the inside, but once […]

JOCKEY QUOTES VICTOR ESPINOZA, MIDCOURT, WINNER: “He’s getting so good right now, he’s taking everything on his own and he does things so easily. Horses, when they get into that rhythm, it’s kind of hard to get beat.  John Shirreffs has done an amazing job with this horse.  He is not very easy to deal with […]

JOCKEY QUOTES ABEL CEDILLO, KEEPER OFTHE STARS, WINNER:  “She’s still green.  She’s learning (with) every race, but today when she was between horses, she got intimidated.  That’s why she came out a little bit. I straightened her up right away and she won pretty easy. DID HE THINK SHE MIGHT BE DISQUALIFIED?  “You never know, but she […]

JOCKEY QUOTES  MARIO GUTIERREZ, FORE LEFT, WINNER: “He showed us what he can do today.  We know he’s a good horse, but it’s great to have him prove it again today.  He showed a lot of heart and hopefully he can keep running like this.” TRAINER QUOTES DOUG O’NEILL, FORE LEFT, WINNER: “He got back to what […]

JOCKEY QUOTES  ABEL CEDILLO, CASTLE, WINNER: “It looked like there was a lot of speed in the race and all Mark said was ‘Stay close.’  My horse broke really good and we made the lead very easy and that was good for me.” TRAINER QUOTES MARK GLATT, CASTLE, WINNER: “It’s a roller coaster ride if you’re in […]

JOCKEY QUOTES ABEL CEDILLO, LEUCOTHEA, WINNER: “When this filly broke her maiden, she made the lead very easy.  She doesn’t like you to take any hold of her, you just have to leave her alone and she does her job.” TRAINER QUOTES RUBEN ALVARADO, ASSISTANT TO WINNING TRAINER PETER MILLER, LEUCOTHEA, WINNER:  “We weren’t worried about […]

JOCKEY QUOTES GEOVANNI FRANCO, JUST GRAZED ME, WINNER: “At first we were running one-two with her stablemate (favored S Y Sky) and I thought it was sweet. Then the number five (Don’t Sell) started pressuring us from the outside and I thought we were going too fast . . . So I was able to sit […]

JOCKEY QUOTES       JORGE VELEZ, WARREN’S SHOWTIME, WINNER: “This filly had worked really good for this race. She went to the rail and finished strong.  I’m so excited, this is my first stakes winner in my career. I’ve been here in California nine months and Craig is putting me on horses. TRAINER QUOTES     […]

JOCKEY QUOTES  RUBEN FUENTES, EL TIGRE TERRIBLE, WINNER: “I had never been on this horse, not even in the morning. They were going so quick up front that he settled on his own. I saved ground at the rail and we had a dream trip. It opened up and he finished strong.” TRAINER QUOTES PETER MILLER, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES  VICTOR ESPINOZA, HIT THE ROAD, WINNER: “This was my first time on this horse and he showed me a lot.  The favorite came out on me going into the first turn, so I had to take him back, and we ended up last around the turn.  I was really impressed with how he handled […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MIKE SMITH, OMAHA BEACH, WINNER: “He broke extremely well, almost too well, he slipped a little leaving there but man he settled right in behind them really nice. He was loaded coming off that turn, Mr. Mandella really had him ready today. His last work was brilliant and he ran the way he worked.” […]

JOCKEY QUOTES  DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, TRUE VALOUR, WINNER:  “Simon told me to keep him covered up, that’s the main thing. If he sees daylight, he gets aggressive, which he was early.  From there, I just tried to find a path and someone to follow. I knew I had won, they (the placing judges) were trying to […]

JOCKEY QUOTES DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, LADY NINJA, WINNER: “She broke good today, compared to last time (when third in the Grade III Rancho Bernardo Handicap Aug. 11). After that, I had to wait and see where I could get out. When the four (favored  Anonymity) backed out, I was able to get outside of Selcourt and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES       ABEL CEDILLO, PARADISE WOODS, WINNER: “Mike (Smith) told me you’ve got to keep her calm and she’ll try hard. I kept her outside of Secret Spice and everything worked perfect. She was standing perfect in the gate and we knew that Prat (Flavien, aboard Secret Spice) was the speed and he […]

JOCKEY QUOTES ABEL CEDILLO, MONGOLIAN GROOM, WINNER: “I would like to thank the trainers and owners. I had a lot of help and thank you Enebish Ganbat, for trusting me. He told me don’t change anything, just do what you do with him . . . just stay close, and I saw McKinzie didn’t go so […]

JOCKEY QUOTES      MIKE SMITH MIRTH, WINNER: (On riding Mirth for the first time): “I’ve watched her, and she’s been running dynamite. It looked like she wasn’t far from pulling one of these off, so I knew it was in her. It was just a matter of whether I could get a little brave and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES ABEL CEDILLO, CLEOPATRA’S STRIKE, WINNER: “Phil told me, ‘Make sure to keep him off the pace.’ If he was going to stay with Acclimate, it was going to go bad. I knew if I could keep him on the bit, he was going to come home. I got a perfect trip. I was just […]

JOCKEY QUOTES       JOHN VELAZQUEZ, EIGHT RINGS, WINNER: “He’s still not 100 percent confident in what he needs to do. Obviously he’s very talented, but he needs to put it together and go on. He still ran a good race, but you can see he has some room to improve. If he can put his […]

JOCKEY QUOTES      FLAVIEN PRAT, PEE WEE REESE, WINNER: “We had a good trip. He broke well and there were two horses that were off quicker than us, so we sort of sat in behind them. When we had the opening in the stretch, he gave me a good kick. (On the pace): It’s a […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOHN VELAZQUEZ, BAST, WINNER: “This means a lot. (Jerry Bailey) is a guy who I rode with for so many years and have looked up to for so long. It’s incredible.” “Going to the backstretch, she looked really good, and I was pretty confident. We got to the turn and I thought we might […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MARTIN GARCIA, ACCLIMATE, WINNER: “I have to give thanks to Phil for allowing me to ride and to the beautiful horse and the owners as well. It was all in the easy instruction Phil gave me. He said, ‘Just break, take the lead and don’t look back, he has natural speed and he […]

JOCKEY QUOTES AARON GRYDER, RUBY BRADLEY, WINNER: “She runs well, she runs hard every time. She’s a filly you really have to work with and convince her to really pick it up. She’s not overly aggressive. Today I told the pony girl, ‘turn me lose, I want her to pull on me,’ so I warmed her […]

JOCKEY QUOTES RAFAEL BEJARANO, MAJESTIC EAGLE, WINNER:  “I feel so happy.  This is my last mount of the meet and we had a dream trip.  My horse broke good and I knew Sharp Samurai was the horse to beat.  I tried to put just a little pressure on him early and then I took hold of […]

JOCKEY QUOTES  KENT DESORMEAUX, EDDIE HASKELL, WINNER: “There were some anxious moments from the quarter pole to about the eighth pole where the leader, (What’sontheagenda) was going as fast as me and I had asked ‘Eddie’ to go. He sustained his kick and that made the difference. Eddie won the race. He flicks his ears […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, SIMPLY BREATHLESS, WINNER: “She’s a very talented filly, she was the right horse to beat, today. She traveled well the whole race. We had to be patient around the turn, but once she got clear, she gave us a good kick. Since it rained here the past few days, it helped make […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MIKE SMITH, OUR SILVER OAK, WINNER: “I followed one of the owner’s instructions to a T, and the good news is, I didn’t run out of them. I got plenty left for next time he runs. Actually, I had a really, really good trip, even though the horse was really tough to saddle […]

JOCKEY QUOTES TIAGO PEREIRA, STARR OF QUALITY, and WINNER: “This was an easier spot today. It looked like Coco Kisses was the only speed and that’s the way it worked out. My filly wanted to go at the half mile pole, but we waited and she ran really good. Nice win.” TRAINER QUOTES BILL SPAWR, STARR […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOE TALAMO, MUCHO GUSTO, WINNER: “We had a really good trip, he broke really sharp, I noticed the two outside horses went and I was just trying to track them around there. He was just full of run turning for home. He just tries really hard and you can do whatever you want with […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MARIO GUTIERREZ, LEMOONA, WINNER: “I think getting back on the grass helped her. Last time she was well back and made one run and that’s what Richard told me to do  today. I was able to get her to relax and just kick at the end and she gave me a helluva kick.” […]

JOCKEY QUOTES RAFAEL BEJARANO, DESERT LAW, WINNER: “I’ve been working him the last three weeks and he’s been training amazing. I told Carla, anything, six or 6 ½ (furlongs) and he’ll be tough. I thought the speed would go today and it worked out good for us.” TRAINER QUOTES CARLA GAINES, DESERT LAW, WINNER: “He has […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MARIO GUTIERREZ, LISTING, WINNER:  “He ran really good.  He was sharp today, I was able to sit pretty comfortably inside Baffert’s horse (Rafal) and I was able to move with him before he got pressure from those other horses.” TRAINER QUOTES BEN CECIL, LISTING, WINNER: “I think last time (Silky Sullivan Stakes at Golden […]

JOCKEY QUOTES DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, NEPTUNE’S STORM, WINNER:  “Yes, we got away with some soft fractions and that helped.  I learned from riding him last time and then working him in the mornings that when horses come to him on his outside, he’ll re-engage and fight back.  On the gallop out today, horses came to […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOE TALAMO, LADY PRANCEALOT, WINNER:  “I waited a little longer today. Last time, I probably moved a touch early. Today, I waited and sure enough turning for home she switched leads and really cut.  She’s very handy, very relaxed and she has that ‘turf’ turn of foot…She might be best at a mile and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, LA FORCE, WINNER: “Mike and Paradise Woods stumbling at the start really didn’t change anything for me. I had a great outside post and she tends to like being in the clear, my horse. It did help a little, her stumbling, obviously because it made the trip more difficult for him […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLORENT GEROUX, BOLO, WINNER: “What an amazing horse and such an amazing job to Carla and her team. She had the horse ready. Last time the horse ran better than what it looked like, it was a bit far for him being a mile and eighth and he only got beat a mile […]

JOCKEY QUOTES  JOHN VELAZQUEZ, VINO ROSSO, WINNER: “Todd told me he was ready for a mile and a quarter, I talked to Mike Repole on the phone and he said to make sure to thank him because he’s the one who gave me instructions to win the race. So thank you Mike and thank you […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, VASILIKA, WINNER:  “I knew we would be fairly close to the lead.  I took hold of her on the last turn and took her outside. She does everything I ask of her.  I’m just a lucky man. This filly knows how to win.  She knows what to do.  It is quite […]

JOCKEY QUOTES DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, S Y SKY, WINNER:  “Phil told me she’s fast, but she can be tactical also.  We broke sharp, but I was able to take her back and she finished really well.” FLAVIEN PRAT, BELVOIR BAY, SECOND:  “Turning for home, I didn’t think she could get beat.  The winner was just […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, MY MAJESTIC ROSE, WINNER:  “We had a good trip.  She relaxed very well and she was going real easy up the backside.  At the three eighths, I asked her and she was right there for me.  When she made the lead, she waited on that other filly a bit, but then she […]

JOCKEY QUOTES NORBERTO ARROYO, JR. AIR STRIKE, WINNER: “This horse ran great.  It was a basic easy ride from coming off the pace. I give all the credit to God, and Phil who brought the horse ready, I just took him out, he did it all himself. To be honest, it’s not me, it’s God.  I’ve […]

JOCKEY QUOTES TIAGO PEREIRA, MARCKIE’S WATER, WINNER:  “The last race he didn’t break very well for me. This time he broke well and he really relaxed after we passed the finish line the first time.  We settled in behind horses and when it was time to go, we went outside and he really responded.” FLAVIEN […]

JOCKEY QUOTES KENT DESORMEAUX, EDDIE HASKELL, WINNER: “There were some harrowing moments down the backside and that was probably (What’sontheagenda’s) best chance to beat ‘Eddie’. After about a hundred yards I sent Eddie to quicken the pace and Agapito came with me, then he finally pushed the button and cleared us off, it made it really […]

JOCKEY QUOTES GEOVANNI FRANCO, DANUSKA’S MY GIRL, WINNER:  “She’s been improving every time I’ve gotten on her. Jerry said ‘You’re on the fastest horse, just get her out of the gate and she’ll do the rest. She’s got a big heart and she ran really good.” TRAINER QUOTES JERRY HOLLENDORFER, DANUSKA’S MY GIRL, WINNER: “Geovanni rides […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES JOE TALAMO, MUCHO GUSTO, WINNER: “I knew we wouldn’t get an easy lead, so I looked around to see who was going to go with us. I just wanted to get him out of there and get him comfortable. It’s amazing how well this horse relaxes.  He’s drawn the rail a lot and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOE TALAMO, CORDIALITY, WINNER: “When I got back, I was surprised to see those fast fractions. It was a funny set up, the plan going in was to sit second, third or fourth, but when nobody went, we inherited the lead by accident. When the four (runner-up Queen Bee to You) came to […]

JOCKEY QUOTES GEOVANNI FRANCO, CAUSEFORCOMMOTION, WINNER:  “She was getting really good a year ago, and then she had to be turned out for a little vacation, so we’ve been waiting a long time. Eric was confident she would run well because of the way she’s been training. She’s still improving from what she showed last […]

JOCKEY QUOTES KENT DESORMEAUX, MAXIM RATE, WINNER: “I watched the tape of her last race (Grade III Providencia Stakes on April 6) and you could see she was very unlucky to lose. Simon called me up before we ran and told me she was delightful, that she would do whatever I asked, he thought she […]

JOCKEY QUOTES      AARON GRYDER, MISS MY ROSE, WINNER: “I thought she was getting a very good trip, I was very confident at the top of the stretch, I gave her a chance to get into stride and get her to switch leads, she’s a very courageous filly and she’s very young so she’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES      DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, NEPTUNE’S STORM, WINNER:  “This is a very game horse.  We had (early pacesetter) Big Scott Daddy as a target and when we passed him on the far turn, he threw his ears up and waited a little bit on those other horses.  When they came to him, he re-broke […]

JOCKEY QUOTES  MIKE SMITH, PARADISE WOODS, WINNER: “Sometimes the first ones are the best ones, I’d like to take some credit but honestly it was John Sherriff and his crew, man they did a lot of work on this mare and they finally got her to a point where she will listen to you a little […]

JOCKEY QUOTES TIAGO PEREIRA, THE HUNTED, WINNER:  “I worked him the other day and he worked really good. I’ve never ridden him in a race, but I looked at his last two races and it looked like he was running against good horses. Today, the pace seemed good for him and he was comfortable. When I […]

JOCKEY QUOTES VICTOR ESPINOZA, CISTRON, WINNER: “The important thing for me and the horse today was that he broke running.  He was able to take control right away and at the sixteenth pole, I said ‘Where is everybody?’  He ran great all the way to the wire, John is an awesome trainer, he really got this […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOSEPH TALAMO, PAINTING CORNERS, WINNER: “I had a great trip Peter gave me all the confidence in the world, he just said, ‘Try to break sharp if they give us a good lead go with it, if not just ride a smart race’.  She broke sharp and took it to ’em.  She’s very quick […]

JOCKEY QUOTES GEOVANNI FRANCO, DANUSKA’S MY GIRL, WINNER: “Danuska’s got such a big heart. I knew it the second time I rode her, she showed me she had lots of heart. Today the only way to steal this race was to just go. I knew she would fight them off whenever they got close to […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOEL ROSARIO, GIFTBOX, WINNER: “It was a good race he broke perfect out of there, John told me to keep him close and when he wants to go maybe just follow someone. He did great and it was a good race turning for home. I knew McKinzie was coming for us in the […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MIKE SMITH, ROADSTER, WINNER:  “We knew before he and Game Winner started running that they both had ability. They were breezing by the competition like this and putting them away. We weren’t sure which one was better. The first time he ran for me he showed he had all the gears. The second time he had the problem […]

JOCKEY QUOTES GEOVANNI FRANCO, LIEUTENANT DAN, WINNER:  “We broke really well and the key was to get good position.  There was a lot of speed and the 8 horse (Tap the Wire) was outside of me.  When it was time to go, my horse responded really well and we just took off.” TIAGO PEREIRA, PRINCIPE CARLO, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES  FLAVIEN PRAT, VASILIKA, WINNER: “We broke fine at the rail. We changed our strategy when I saw Mike (Smith) was out of the race on the first turn and we went to plan B. I can never do anything wrong with this filly. No matter what I do, she covers me. She is definitely something special.” DRAYDEN […]

JOCKEY QUOTES  FLAVIEN PRAT, BELLAFINA, WINNER:  “We were a little wide on the first turn.  I didn’t want to get in any trouble, so I got her to be comfortable and relax.  At the 3/8ths pole, she ducked out a little and the others got away from us. We regrouped and when we made our move and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, SNEAKING OUT, WINNER: “She bobbled right at the start, but she picked it up.  I loved my position early.  The track is deep, so I didn’t want to go to fast early.  I let those two fillies go and gave her a tap at the 3/8ths and she just took off.  […]

JOCKEY QUOTES TIAGO PERIERA, LAW ABIDIN CITIZEN, WINNER: “I was supposed to be sitting a little closer to the pace, closer to Conquest Tsunami, but my horse broke a little slow. The three horses went fast up front. This made it easier for my horse to relax the first part and once we hit the dirt […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JOEL ROSARIO, GYPSY BLU, WINNER: “I just arrived a few hours ago (from Dubai) and I’m a little tired but I feel better now that we have a win. I thought it was going to be a little bit closer but she took her time, she’s a runner when she sees a horse in […]

JOCKEY QUOTES DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, PEE WEE REESE, WINNER: “I didn’t think he was going that quick unless he is just that fast of a horse, but he was well within himself the whole way. He was on cruise control. He gave me a nice kick down the lane. I was loaded from the word go, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES GEOVANNI FRANCO, SECRET SPICE, WINNER:  “I’ve worked her a couple times and she does everything very easy.  We broke beautiful and she settled nice.  We were able to save ground and going to the far turn, she was targeting those two horses on the lead (Exuberance and Just a Smidge), so we swung out […]

JOCKEY QUOTES DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, ELSEA’S WORLD, WINNER:   “It was a little different this time (referring to the long photo finish in the Frank Kilroe Mile) at the end. This filly settled for me very nicely. This is the first time I have rode her, but I could tell she is a very classy filly.  We […]

JOCKEY QUOTES VICTOR ESPINOZA, ST. JOE BAY, WINNER: “It feels great to be back in the winner’s circle. It’s very encouraging to go forward in my career after what happened. This has put me on a different level, mentally as well after what happened. I thought I would never be back to ride. It was not easy not […]

JOCKEY QUOTES RUBEN FUENTES, OHIO, WINNER: “The instructions were to grab the lead if nobody wanted it, so I jumped out of there and as soon as Hunt went by me I knew we had something to run at and someone to follow. We were going pretty smooth there (23 and 47). Coming into the […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES TYLER BAZE, EPICAL, WINNER: “I gave him a breather around the first turn, he’s a special horse just want to thank Jim and Darren who let me come back and ride him, he is a very special horse, I knew he was something all along. I count on the trainers and the horse, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOEL ROSARIO, EDWARDS GOING LEFT, WINNER: “He broke a little slow so I was having to use him a little right away. It looked like a nice spot was there on the rail and he was wanting to go towards it. There was room so I dipped him in and he did the rest. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES TYLER BAZE, STUBBINS, WINNER: “I thought of sprinting early in when I saw the form yesterday, Steve said don’t get dirt in his face so plan A. I am excited for this horse and the opportunity, it’s not every day you get a good three-year old colt that comes around this time of year, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES RAFAEL BEJARANO, SHOW IT N MOE IT, WINNER: “She always tries really hard and she always wants to be on the lead. This was the first time she’s ever had to be on the inside though and she freaked out a little being out on the lead down inside. She started to lug out […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, VASILIKA, WINNER: “Through the last half mile I was comfortable with where we were. It felt like we were rolling even though the track is playing pretty fast. I thought we were rolling so I was ok to sit where I was. “By the three-eighths pole I could see we were making […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOEL ROSARIO, MUCHO UNUSUAL, WINNER: “I know she showed speed last time going short and it looked like she was going for speed. I just let her be happy where she was, and ended up being in the lead. I was just trying to let her be happy where she was. It was […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, GALILEAN, WINNER: “It was easy; he was traveling well the whole way. Jerry’s other horse in the race, Loud Mouth, was coming from a sprint so it was either him going to the lead, or me. It was going to be one of us. He broke better than me so I sat […]

JOCKEY QUOTES DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, MARLEY’S FREEDOM, WINNER: “”Bob (Baffert) told me to be sure to warm her up real good and to get her running away from there.  She did and we had a good tactical spot.  I was just sitting on her, but I had to get after Selcourt a little early because it […]

JOCKEY QUOTES KENT DESORMEAUX, APACHE PRINCESS, WINNER: “Not at all confident, Keith called and we had a long discussion about it, he decided we would stay in and I thought the end result worked out very well… In regards to Apache Princess’ last race on  1/21/2019 and today dropping his whip .., I had already asked her and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOEL ROSARIO, SPARKY VILLE, WINNER: “Going into the far turn, I was in tight, but I had to wait because I thought those horses were moving a little early.  When we left the quarter pole, I asked him and he really picked it up.  I thought those horses would come back to me and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES SHANE FOLEY, PLATINUM WARRIOR, WINNER: “Without a doubt…It was well worth the travel from Ireland for this win. “I let him go, let him dictate it. I knew his speed was his main attribute. Being on the front end turning into the straight was a bit daunting but I just had to play him […]

JOCKEY QUOTES ANDREA ATZENI, TRUE VALOUR, ITALIAN-BORN JOCKEY WINNING HIS FIRST-EVER RACE AT SANTA ANITA. ATZENI IS TAKING A BREAK FROM RIDING IN THE U.K. DURING THEIR SLOWER MONTHS TO EXPERIENCE RACING IN THE U.S.:  “I put him in the race too early, he hadn’t run in quite a bit of time so the horse was […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, BELLAFINA, WINNER: “She was good, as always. I thought Mother Mother would show more speed with the blinkers, but it seemed like everybody was waiting and watching me, so I tried to bide my time and wait as long as I could . . . As soon as she saw that filly […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, BATTLE OF MIDWAY, WINNER: “I thought to the other race (San Antonio Stakes on Dec.28) when we were out on the lead and we had been praised the whole way, it felt like he (Battle of Midway) was really comfortable doing that, so with the outside road today, I thought it […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOE TALAMO, MUCHO GUSTO, WINNER:  “Every race, he getting better and better.  I’m glad I’ve been working him, because he’s worked better, too.  He settled today like he’s been doing this a hundred times…He galloped out real strong.  I don’t think distance is going to be any problem.  At the three eighths (pole), I […]

JOCKEY QUOTES DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, CONQUEST TSUNAMI, WINNER: “My first time on him. Pete said to try and make the lead. I watched film and know that last time on the hill, Cistron, Sadler’s horse went ding-dong with him on the lead and they went a little faster than I did today. “Today I was […]

JOCKEY QUOTES KENT DESORMEAUX, RYE, WINNER: “He is one of my favorite horses to ride, and that’s exactly why, when you’re driving a Ferrari and you press the gas, you can get to those pockets that create themselves there for a few seconds, he got in there in a couple of strides, full credit to this […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES JOSEPH TALAMO, S Y SKY, WINNER: “It’s good to get her back in the winner’s circle. She shows up every time. As you can see she’s never missed a check, you see that in the form. She just skips over the grass. “I was actually surprised to see she went 43 in change, she […]

JOCKEY QUOTES TIAGO PEREIRA, TOUCHING RAINBOWS, WINNER: “I got the feeling for the race, I had good speed in the race and I tried to close. I think the number five had more speed today but my horse was running easy. HERIBERTO FIGUEROA, RICHARD’S BOY, SECOND:  “He showed a lot of speed, he broke well, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MARIO GUTIERREZ, LISTING, WINNER:  “I think being on the outside today helped him a lot, he was more comfortable, you know no pressure last time he did a little step before crossing the wire so I think that caused him that extra bow but today it was good.” “That was the plan from […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, VASILIKA, WINNER:  “When Drysdale’s filly (La Sardane) made that early move, it put pressure on Smith’s filly (Ms Bad Behavior) and it helped me.  I didn’t want to be in a hurry, but she really picked it up and she finished well.  I think a mile and one eighth might be her […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, PANTSONFIRE, WINNER:  “We had a good pace to run at.  She rated kind and she was travelling well the whole way.  I thought Mike Smith’s filly (K P Pergoliscious) would be tough, but my filly gave me a good kick turning for home.” TRAINER QUOTES RICHARD BALTAS, PANTSONFIRE, WINNER: “The race kinda set […]

JOCKEY QUOTES PACO LOPEZ, ROH H, WINNER:  “Peter told me he’d like me to be third or fourth early.  He’s like a machine.  You could see going to the three eighths, he was just cruising.  He loves to run and I had a whole lotta horse the whole way.  He definitely ran as good today as […]

JOCKEY QUOTES TYLER BAZE, ESCAPE CLAUSE, WINNER: “I had a beautiful trip, I wasn’t sure really what the other two (horses) were gonna do and they went and I just sat there and when I said, ‘GO,’ man… she took off with me. When she got the lead she kind of pulled up a little […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, BELVOIR BAY, WINNER:  “We had a good trip and I was very confident the whole way.  She made a good move around the turn and she did it pretty easily.” TRAINER QUOTES PETER MILLER, BELVOIR BAY, WINNER: “She’s just unbelievable. She can do anything, any distance up to a mile, any […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES  FLAVIEN PRAT, BELLAFINA, WINNER:  “Coming out of the gate, I really didn’t know what to expect.  I knew there was speed outside of me.  She broke well, relaxed and dropped the bit around the turn and then she took off.  The Breeders’ Cup was just a bad day.  She had trained well for Simon […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MIKE SMITH, GUNMETAL GRAY, WINNER: “I didn’t expect to be that far back. I got taken off my game plan a little bit. Coliseum kind of slipped and broke to the right. He really hit me in behind and set me farther back than I wanted to be. “He got up, got back […]

JOCKEY QUOTES GEOVANNI FRANCO, LATE RIDER CHANGE FROM JOEL ROSARIO, WHO WAS OFF HIS MOUNTS, NEXT SHARES, WINNER: “My horse was so good today. He broke out of there and we kind of got left a little bit but Richard told me not to hurry, so I didn’t. He told me that if we had […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOE TALAMO, CARIBOU CLUB, WINNER: “He ran such a big race his last time out here at Santa Anita, down the hill. That turf was just so quick that day that it was hard for him to catch the leaders that day. “What a cool horse. I’m really grateful to be able to […]

JOCKEY QUOTES BRICE BLANC, GIZA GODDESS, WINNER: “I was a little worried because she was leaning on horses today. She’s still a little green but she’s got a ton of potential. I’ve had the chance to ride her on the grass in all three of her most recent starts and she keeps improving every time. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOEL ROSARIO, COMPETITIONOFIDEAS, WINNER: “She broke well, we saved ground, and we took one shot. “I thought we would be closer but everybody wanted their spot so I just let her settle. “I always have to thank everybody for giving me the chance to ride here again and I really appreciate everybody. My plan […]

JOCKEY QUOTES EDWIN MALDONADO, FAHAN MURA, WINNER: “She’s a really fun horse to ride. She’s become so much more professional. She used to pull quite a bit, but now, she relaxes so nice…I want to thank Vladimir and the owners for putting me on her. Today, she made the lead easy and then she did […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MIKE SMITH, MCKINZIE, WINNER: “This horse really has something in store. You’re really better off running him like this because you don’t take too much out of yourself. Bob brought him back here, gave him a little break and his energy came back up, his weight came back up and he was ready […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOEL ROSARIO, GIFT BOX, WINNER: “He ran really good, every time when the horses were coming up from behind him, he was pushing and wanted to keep going. So, I thought that was pretty good. He got some good headway and when he was heading for home, he kind of took the lead, then […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JEFF MULLINS, RIVER BOYNE, WINNER: “He’s solid. You know when you lead him over here he’s going to give it you. He might not get it every time but he’s going to give it you. I thought Flavien might have had him (River Boyne) a little too far back but he (Prat) knows […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, SPICED PERFECTION, WINNER: “She ran big. She broke off nice and then I was outside in the clear. She was comfortable the entire way. Around the turn I was going pretty well so I thought I had a shot. As soon as I asked her, she responded well and ran big. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, RIVER BOYNE, WINNER:  “The way the race set up, I thought I could follow the 10 horse (Andesh), but he was done early, so I was forced to go wide.  When my horse can settle, he makes a big run and he did today.”     TRAINER QUOTES   JEFF […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIAN PRAT, VASILIKA, WINNER: “She’s so professional, she probably knows where the wire is better than me. I was a little concerned about the rail, but we let everyone go and she was very comfortable just outside another horse going into the first turn and I was feeling good. As you saw, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               RAFAEL BEJARANO, STORM THE HILL, WINNER: “This horse has been training really well and Phil has done such a good job with her. She’s been working well the past few weeks and she was prepared for this race. “She was much the best today.  She was in-hand with me early and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, TOINETTE, WINNER: “We had a pretty good trip. The pace was strong and I wasn’t expecting that. She was comfortable the whole way and gave me a nice kick turning for home. “Neil did a great job coming into today’s race and she was ready.”   MIKE SMITH, STREAK OF […]

JOCKEY QUOTES GARY STEVENS, SPARKY VILLE, WINNER:  “Jeff told me to ride a smart race, whatever that means!  I’ve never seen a horse turn it around so quick after being gelded as this horse.  I sent him out of there, but, for some reason, Geovanni (Franco, aboard Seven Scents) had us out in the eight-path […]

TRAINER QUOTES   CRAIG DOLLASE, BRANDOTHEBARTENDER, WINNER: “We had a sneaky feeling he was going to run well today. It was a quick turnaround but he has trained really well in between today and into last week. “Joe rode him really well and the pace scenario really helped us. This horse tries and he’s very […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TIAGO PEREIRA, LOVE A HONEYBADGER, WINNER:  “She’s a nice filly.  I won a couple on her when Brian Koriner had her and I want to thank Pete for staying with me today.  Five eighths is a good distance for her.  We had a good break, she relaxed and she was full of […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, KING OF SPEED, WINNER:  “He’s a big 2-year-old, no question.  He’s grown into a man from a boy in his last two races.  When I first started getting on him, I thought he could be my Futurity horse and I still think he’ll run well on dirt as well.  Now […]

JOCKEY QUOTES    MARIO GUTIERREZ, LAKERBALL, WINNER:  “The big key was getting over to the rail going into the first turn.  From there, she was happy and she ran really game.”   DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, SUMMERING, THIRD AS THE HEAVY FAVORITE:  “I thought I was gonna be able to angle out there in the lane, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               TIAGO PEREIRA, SKY DIAMONDS, WINNER: “My plan was to let Yuvetsi and Anonymity go because they’re fast and were clearly the speed. But when I saw Show It N Moe It go too, I loved it because that was good for me too. “I let them all go and was able […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               GARY STEVENS, SHARP SAMURAI, WINNER: “I had a great trip. I was just following the leaders and he was going easy. “In the stretch, I pulled my stick through with my left hand, used it once, he responded and we were head and head with Flavien and Fly to Mars. I […]

JOCKEY QUOTES             PACO LOPEZ, ROY H, WINNER: “I loved to get the chance to ride this horse again. I won on him in New York (True North, June 9, 2017) and was second in California (Bing Crosby, July 29, 2017), so I know the horse very well. He was very light-footed today but I […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TIAGO PEREIRA, ITS GONNA HURT, WINNER: “My horse broke good and his last work was very good, so when he took the lead I just let him go and he had enough left to hold them off. I chirped to him when I wanted more and he gave it to me.”   […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER GAFFALIONE, LIAM THE CHARMER, WINNER: “Mike said to not rush him out of there and let him find his footing. He put himself in the spot he needed to be and we saved all the ground. Going into the far turn I let him go in between horses and then kicked […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JOE TALAMO, VALE DORI, WINNER: “Bob said to try and get her out, whether she’s first or second, and just get her into a real smooth rhythm. “She was laying perfect right off of Tyler’s filly there and I had a lot of horse around the turn. I was just biding my […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JOEL ROSARIO, ACCELERATE, WINNER: “He left the gate slow, but he recovered nicely. John (Sadler) told me he is a little slow to get going, so I just made sure we got ourselves in the game right away. I just wanted to get position and my horse was going comfortably. He loves […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIAN PRAT, VASILIKA, WINNER: “We were going a little slower than I thought. She is super-easy to handle. I knew once she switched leads, we were going to catch Cambodia. I saw Rosario’s horse (Paved), but we kept on going. This horse keeps getting better and better. She doesn’t quit and she’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               FLAVIEN PRAT, BELLAFINA, WINNER: “That was great. Simon and all of his team, they did a great job with her. Last time out, she was pretty aggressive. They took off the blinkers and did some work in the mornings and she ran much better today than at Del Mar (in the […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JOEL ROSARIO, GAME WINNER, WINNER: “He broke well out of there. I just chirped at him a little bit, put him on the outside, and he responded to that really well. “I wasn’t trying to be too far back and that worked out. “He’s a very good horse. He kinda just waits […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               RAFAEL BEJARANO, STORM THE HILL, WINNER:  “My filly has speed, but I could see that about four horses were going early, so I decided to just save ground.  When we got to the half mile pole, I asked her to pick it up a little and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, AMERICAN ANTHEM, WINNER: “I needed that one, it’s like a monkey off my back. Every time you come off of something big, like with Justify, it seems like it takes a little while to win something else that’s big. “It’s so great to see Bode Miller out here with Bob, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, BOMBARD, WINNER: “He broke super sharp and put me in the right spot. He just floated to the wire today.” “He’s really been improving since he’s been running down the hill. He just keeps moving forward.”   TRAINER QUOTES   RICHARD MANDELLA, TRAINER OF BOMBARD, WINNER:  “We bombarded ’em.  He’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, OLLIE’S CANDY, WINNER: “Well I’ve worked her a few times and the way she’s been working told me that she was ready. At the quarter pole I knew I had a battle in front of me. “She sprinted (home) there and she was able to hold it.”   TRAINER QUOTES […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, RIVER BOYNE, WINNER: “Down the backside he settled, but the first part he didn’t. He did that at Churchill in his last out, too. He broke a bit slow and I had a hard time trying to relax him. He did the same thing a little today as well but […]

JOCKEY QUOTES              JOE TALAMO, DRAFT PICK, WINNER:  “We had a perfect trip.  I was real happy with my position and when we swung out around those two horses on the lead (Afleet Ascent and Axelrod), he really took off down the lane.  Full credit to Pete, this horse is […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, PAVED, WINNER: “You can tell a lot about them working them in the mornings, and I’ve been a fan of hers and watched all her races. She’s just a super intelligent filly. We get along great. They told me that she’s a little bit odd around the barn, so maybe […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GEOVANNI FRANCO, LOVING LYNDA, WINNER: “Phil just said he didn’t want to see me on the lead. He said to find a comfortable spot to let her run and she sure did. “I was expecting a lot from her because she’s shown me in the first few races that she’s definitely a […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, UNIQUE BELLA, WINNER: “It was always going to be a little bit of a chess match between me, Vale Dori and Paradise Woods. I was just going to see who broke better than the others and who was going to take the initiative. I was pretty sure that if I […]

TRAINER QUOTES   BRIAN KORINER, TAKE THE ONE O ONE, WINNER, AND WAYA ED, WHO FELL IN THE STRETCH: “He (Take the One O One) ran well. He relaxed, he went nice, had a good kick. I thought he (Waya Ed) clipped heels. I’ve never seen a rider go that high in the air before. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, BELVOIR BAY, WINNER: “It was good today, she was good. She’s an excellent filly. I worked her before down at Del Mar after the fires and I thought she was pretty amazing but I didn’t even know who I was on at the time. “I was really excited for her […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, HUNT, WINNER: “He has been training really well, pretty much like he was at Del Mar last summer right before he won two graded stakes. I was expecting a good race but you never really know off a layoff. He was fresh and he got the job done. “I don’t […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, SOPHIE P, WINNER: “She was fluttering to me and I haven’t had a horse do that with me in years. It’s a great indication to me, verbally, like she was saying, ‘I’m very happy here, let’s continue to cruise here.’ I stayed there until I needed her to help me […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JULIEN LEPAROUX, ITSINTHEPOST, WINNER: “Tyler talked to me just before the race in the paddock. “I heard I might ride him but I wasn’t sure and found out for sure today. I wish Tyler a fast recovery and it’s always bad to get hurt but especially before these big days. “The setup […]

JOCKEY QUOTES     ALONSO QUINONEZ, SOI PHET, WINNER: “First of all, I want to thank the owners but today was all him, he’s all heart. “I was very confident today. That race was the plan that I talked about with Leonard. Break well, stay inside down by the rail, follow the speed, wait until […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               GARY STEVENS, CORDIALITY, WINNER: “I was a little concerned that she might be rank today because of the trouble line in the Form from her last race (‘Pulled, steadied early’) but Mark said he was confident she’d settle, that the only reason she was rank the […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, KANTHAKA, WINNER: “I had a good trip. I waited to make my move when I wanted, it opened up perfectly and after that, he did a brilliant job. “Once he got the lead, he kind of looked around. He made that nice move and for about half a length he […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   GEOVANNI FRANCO, FAULT, WINNER: “I knew the pace was slow and the filly wanted to be closer but I decided to wait. I wanted to try and do what we did last time, which was to swing out and let her make her run. That’s what she really loves to do and […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES MARIO GUTIERREZ, BLAME THE RIDER, WINNER: “This horse has always shown ability in the mornings. I guess you could say he’s a late developer. When Doug switched him to the grass last time, it helped him. Unfortunately today, I couldn’t make the lead because there was so much early pressure, but he […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, BELVOIR BAY, WINNER:  “When Coniah stumbled, I just kinda let the reins dangle and she took me up inside the seven (Mongolian Saturday) and she was real comfortable. She’s a nice filly. I found out last time, you can’t take much hold of her, because she’ll throw her head. The […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JOE TALAMO, DR. DORR, WINNER:  “He handled the distance, no problem.  He was very professional, stalked that horse and when I asked him there, he really took off.  It was great to see him finish up like that.  He’s scary-good right now, that’s for sure.  This was really special, because my Mom […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MIKE SMITH, NESSY, WINNER: “I was so happy to be able to ride for Ian. We go way back, to when he was working for Carl Nafzger in Chicago. As you know, these owners have always wanted to win this race and they pointed for it with this horse. I did ride him […]

JOCKEY QUOTES STEWART ELLIOTT, WHAT A VIEW, WINNER:  “He broke great and he made an easy lead.  He was comfortable and he took care of business.  I thought the six (Sawyer’s Hill) would show speed…I didn’t see him around, it worked out good.”     TRAINER QUOTES                 KENNY BLACK, TRAINER WHAT A VIEW, WINNER:  […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, BOBBY ABU DHABI, WINNER: “He ran great. For some reason, he’s been a little sharper leaving the gate in his last two races. He came out running and Pete told me if he did, to ‘Just go on with him,’ which is what I did. His other horse, Calculator, showed […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARIO GUTIERREZ, B SQUARED, WINNER: “He’s been training really well lately. We always think he’s a little better than the grass so we always have that in the back of our heads – how well he’ll run over the dirt. The track was kind today and he liked it a lot. “It […]

JOCKEY QUOTES                                                                                                    SASHA RISENHOOVER, QUICK SAND AA, WINNER: “It went just the way I thought it would. He did the work and it really worked out well. The hole opened up and he just went. I asked him for his life and he just gave it to me. He did really well.”   TRAINER […]

JOCKEY QUOTES             JOEL ROSARIO, BEAU RECALL, WINNER: “I was running from behind but she broke really well . . .For a second, I had fallen back a bit but she was happy where she was and I didn’t want to pressure her if she didn’t really want to go. I was ready when she […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, MIDNIGHT BISOU, WINNER: “She’s special, I’m telling you. Although she was probably a little farther back than anyone expected, it was almost … I’m not going to compare it to riding Zenyatta, but I used to be way back there and I wasn’t worried because I knew that she could […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, JUSTIFY, WINNER: “He rides with room to grow. He’s learning and it’s the first time he rides with the infield open, I don’t know if he saw the umbrellas and everyone screaming that he got to looking at them so much that I had to get the bit out of […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, HECK YEAH, WINNER: “Equipment change and surface change – and they both worked extremely well. He was so uptight last time (with blinkers), and he was much more relaxed and better today – on the muscle, but much better. I like him better on the dirt, too.”   TRAINER QUOTES […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               JOEL ROSARIO, FATALE BERE, WINNER: “Leonard just told me to just let the horse relax. Those were my only instructions. I just found a good spot, had him relax and let the horse do the rest. He started to pick it up on the turn and had a great burst of […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JOE TALAMO, SPICED PERFECTION, WINNER: “We really had a beautiful trip. She broke pretty sharp and our plan was really to kind of follow the favorite around there and it’s quite funny how a plan works out sometimes. Drawing the rail, she has a little speed but Brian [Koriner] didn’t really want […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               TYLER BAZE, ITSINTHEPOST, WINNER:  “I’ve been getting on him a long time and this is a really special horse.  The guys at the barn have made this happen.  They’ve worked with him and helped him develop, they deserve all the credit.  The only instructions Jeff gave me today were to try […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, SELCOURT, WINNER:  “This filly is scary good right now and she’s getting better and better. John said to ride her with confidence and I did. She broke really sharply and she was relaxed underneath me. Coming around the turn, when it was time to go, she took off.”   TRAINER […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   COREY NAKATANI, MADAM DANCEALOT, WINNER: “She’s been doing so well. I thought with as much rain as we’ve had and the turf being softer it worked to her advantage today. “Being that far off the pace today was by instruction from my trainer. He told me what to do and I did […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               GIOVANNI FRANCO, RIDER OF FAULT, WINNER:  “A lot of jockeys dream to win a Grade I…This means a lot.  We know we have a nice filly and I was just hoping she would run well on the dirt…Coming into the far turn, I had a lot of filly and when I […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JOEL ROSARIO, RIVER BOYNE, WINNER: “I was a little bit nervous that I wouldn’t get here in time today. We had a delay in Florida and then when I got here, there was a lot of traffic on the road. I’m glad I was able to make it. “He was very kind, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, MISS SUNSET, WINNER:  “Yes, it went exactly to plan. She’s so quick and I basically just stayed out of her way. She runs the turn so well; she got a little separation there and was able to take a breather. It makes my job easy. The way she ran today, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JOE TALAMO, TOUGH SUNDAY, WINNER: “Nick has been a big supporter of mine, really since I’ve been an apprentice out here. It’s always great to win a stakes like this for an owner like that. “What a cool horse, he pretty much did all the work today. I just put him in […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, JUSTIFY, WINNER: “That was extremely impressive. He passed the two turn test with flying colors. He had a little bit of the second race jitters in the post parade, in the beginning. But man, he took a deep breath and chilled out. For a young horse he has a great […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, ACCELERATE, WINNER: “With the rain and everything, and the way the track was playing, it kind of changed my game plan a little bit. The last mile and a quarter was tough for him, which I thought would be the case before the race, but he handled it really well […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   JAVIER CASTELLANO, BOLT D’ORO, WINNER: “He broke really well out of the gate and put me in a good spot in the race. He broke and shot out of the gate and put me where I wanted to be. I didn’t want to be too far back and I think it was […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   COREY NAKATANI, BOWIES HERO, WINNER:  “It turned out perfect.  Phil loved him today and he was right.  This horse, when he makes the lead, he kinda grinds a little bit, so I just wanted to make sure he stayed focused.  Anytime you’re able to ride and win these kinds of races on […]

ARCADIA, Calif. (March 10, 2018)–With odds-on favorite World Approval a non factor, longshot Bowies Hero split horses two off the fence turning for home en route to a half length win in Saturday’s Grade I, $400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (turf).  Ridden by Corey Nakatani and trained by Phil D’Amato, the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred colt by […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, WINNER, CITY OF LIGHT: “When you get on a roll like this, it gets your spirits up and it puts you in a good mood. I just want to keep it going. “He grabbed me a little bit when he got the bit but then he relaxed again. He’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES             MIKE SMITH, MIDNIGHT BISOU, WINNER: “This was a test of two turns and she passed it with an ‘A plus.’ I’m getting to know her more and more. I was a bit concerned warming up today. I thought she might be a little too keen early on but then she settled really […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, MISS SUNSET, WINNER: “She ran really well today and she felt better than she’s ever felt.  She just went out there and I just basically stayed out of her way. “She’s really, really quick. She’s a little bit funny, because she runs with her head up for a little filly […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, CONQUEST TSUNAMI, WINNER: “It was an excellent trip. There was just one way to go. I broke in front and kept my position all the way to the wire. I think for him, the main thing is to let him go and just run his race. I felt he was […]

JOCKEY QUOTES                         MIKE SMITH, HECK YEAH, WINNER: “I was telling Bob that down the backstretch I felt like I was in the Olympics (with this headwind.) I was trying to be as aerodynamic as possible. It was really strong and it took its toll on all of them […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   COREY NAKATANI, PULPIT RIDER, WINNER: “This is such a testament to Mike. He asked me about this filly and if I’d like to ride her so I said ‘sure, I think I’d be a great asset to your team. I’ll go out there and give it my all.’ “He said she’s doing […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, SELCOURT, WINNER: “She’s a nice filly but she had to work for it today. I was very confident in her. She ran a huge race last time and John said she’s doing better than she was before that race so that means she was going to run at least as […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, PUBILIUS SYRUS, WINNER: “Valdimir just told me to win before the race. I was a bit baffled last out and had a bit of trouble keeping up with the field in the mile race, in his previous start. “What a tutelage job by Mr. Cerin today. He was sitting right […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   GEOVANNI FRANCO, FAULT, WINNER: “Well I knew she is a nice filly. She’s been running in some nice stakes and placing in them. She just changed coasts and I guess she’s liking it because she seemed to today. She felt very good, just came out and took care of business. “I was […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, KANTHAKA, WINNER: “He gave me a great run and he did everything right. He broke like a bullet but then we had quite a lot of speed in front of us. So he sat really nicely behind the speed and made a really nice run around the turn and after […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, OM, WINNER: “He ran an incredible race. Once he got in the lead I was able to just let him go. Had great speed and I knew that once we got on the inside he would just carry it through. He remained calm and was able to hold them off. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, UNIQUE BELLA, WINNER: “I really don’t think we’ve seen how good she can be. I’ve surely seen how easily she’s doing things right now which I think is extremely impressive. I truly believe we haven’t gotten to the bottom of it. There could even be more to her. I’m excited […]

JOCKEY QUOTES DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, DREAM TREE, WINNER: “I was trying to be patient because I felt we were kind of going a little quick and we were for this track. “We’ve been working on her in the mornings and it’s worked out. I’ve been able to get her to relax and finish well so […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, ACCELERATE, WINNER: “He broke a little slow and they were going slow up front. I put him in the race and they slowed down even more into the first turn. There seemed to be plenty of room up on the lead so I thought I’d take a shot and try […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, ITSINTHEPOST, WINNER: “I knew they were going fast in front of me but I wasn’t worried about any of those horses. My horse doesn’t have a tremendous turn of foot. He did that one race (Oct. 1 in the Grade II John Henry Turf Classic, winning by a head) but […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, LOMBO, WINNER:  “He ran a big race. They put a little pressure on him down the backside, but he was nice and relaxed. I worked him last week and he’s got a lot of speed was concerned he might want to go, but he was relaxed. That was my main […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX:  “He did it very easy. Pete told me to let the other horses go today and let this guy finish up the last half mile. It made my job easy. He’s a super horse. I wanna say, he’s the best sprinter I’ve ever ridden.” When told Roy H was “back.”  […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, RYE, WINNER: “It was very eventful. The horse in front of me almost fell at the three-eighths pole. I was enjoying the ride. I felt like I couldn’t lose. This little guy had to show some guts and determination. He gave it his all.” FLAVIEN PRAT, CAMINO DEL PARAISO, SECOND:  […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, HECK YEAH, WINNER: “He broke well. I thought he would be a little bit closer but he wasn’t so I just let him fall into place. Coming into that turn I had a lot of horse left. He was doing it easy and I tried to work my way […]

JOCKEY QUOTES TYLER BAZE, EDWARDS GOING LEFT, WINNER: “This horse showed some guts today. Drayden had me in tighter than (crap) down at the rail. I thought I’d be three or four off but I had to keep my position. This horse just showed guts being a half length back stuck on the inside. He’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MARIO GUTIERREZ, HOW ABOUT ZERO, WINNER: “I had a perfect trip. She’s proven that she likes to run down the hill a little bit fresh. It worked perfect. She’s a really good filly. We haven’t gotten a distance yet but I still feel she can run the mile or 1 1/16, too.” TRAINER […]

JOCKEY QUOTES KENT DESORMEAUX, WINNER RIDER:  “She was awesome today.  She was very comfortable.  I’ve seen her develop and she was a consummate pro today.  I thought Victor’s filly (Espinoza, aboard Instant Reflex) would show more speed.  When I saw that it was Flavien’s horse (Prat, aboard Proper Discretion) that was showing the speed, I […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, MADAME STRIPES, WINNER: “Neil was very, very confident in her being ready for today’s occasion. He was mostly concerned with how fresh she was going to be. I rode her European style. I put a little steel in her mouth so she couldn’t jump away from the gate. It worked […]

JOCKEY QUOTES TYLER BAZE, PLEIN AIR, WINNER: “She was comfortable all the way around. Bob told me that she pretty much just went to the lead and galloped around there in her other races so he said to send her out there a little bit. She didn’t break that well but as soon as I […]

JOCKEY QUOTES TYLER BAZE, SELCOURT, WINNER: “I wasn’t worried about the fast pace. She’s a big, nice filly and she got a little breather in there and when I asked her to kick home, she was ready. When John say’s they’re ready, they’re ready.” TRAINER QUOTES  JOHN SADLER, SELCOURT, WINNER: “She ran against really high-class form last […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   MARIO GUTIERREZ, MOPOTISM, WINNER: “The thing about Mopotism is that she has a lot of heart. We had a better trip this time and I was able to move her even though I had to move her a little earlier than I wanted. She’s fit so she got us to the wire […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, MIDNIGHT BISOU, WINNER: “Bill told me one simple thing. He told me to not be surprised if she was a whole lot closer than I would have thought today. ‘She’s pretty sharp and it’s ok if she is’. I’m really glad he told me that because I was up there […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, ITSINTHEPOST, WINNER: “I looked at the Form and it was run the exact way I thought it would be. He always gives you 100 percent. He’s a barn favorite. Galindo gets on him in the mornings and he knows this horse so well, and then I get on him in […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, MCKINZIE, WINNER: “He was a bit too aggressive last time. Today, he seemed to relax early, then he jumped when I asked, so taking the blinkers off today, I thought we might as well try it and I think it was a great move. “He’s getting better as he matures. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JOE TALAMO, PEE WEE REESE, WINNER: “Compliments go to Phil, he’s done such a great job with this horse, keeping him fresh. I just try to be a good pilot when I’m on him. Whether it’s six and a half or a mile, he always runs his race.”     TRAINER QUOTES […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, IPPODAMIA’S GIRL, WINNER:  “Last time, she was (keen) early.  Today, after the first turn, she relaxed. I thought she could repeat her last race today and at the three eighths pole, I had so much horse, it was over.”     TRAINER QUOTES   MIKE PUYPE, IPPODAMIA’S GIRL, WINNER: “I […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, SILENT BIRD, WINNER: “Well, I’ll tell you, full credit goes to Mark Glatt for this win. Silent Bird popped an abscess and was given the time off that he needed. Mark said to be careful out of the gate and that he could be sluggish and he was right. I […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, DADDYS LIL DARLING, WINNER: “Kenny said not to be surprised if we were laying a whole lot closer today. We’re so used to seeing her run double digits out the back but she’s been training really well and really aggressively. He said,’ It’s OK, she can just do 48’s and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES     BRICE BLANC, MIDNIGHT CROSSING, WINNER: “I’ve worked her in the morning and she’s very delicate, very light-mouthed. On paper it didn’t look like there was much speed so I thought Joe (Talamo on Responsibleforlove) would be on the lead. When I went into the paddock, Richie said, ‘Just don’t get into […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, CITY OF LIGHT, WINNER: “First of all, he was very confident going into the race based on his recent works. Being in the one hole, I just had to make sure I got him out fast. He broke solid, and I got to set the pace. He responded well […]

JOCKEY QUOTES     MIKE SMITH, UNIQUE BELLA, WINNER: “She broke really well today and I got her going. I was concerned about going too fast early. That was the problem in the Breeders’ Cup (Filly & Mare Sprint). She has been training very aggressively in the mornings, so that was my concern. She relaxed […]

JOCKEY QUOTES KENT DESORMEAUX, BOWIES HERO, WINNER: “Phil D’Amato did a great job in getting him ready. I don’t deserve the credit, he does. This horse had fire in his eyes. He refused to lose. At the 16th pole, I didn’t think we had a chance, but he saw that tail in front of him […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, GIANT EXPECTATIONS, WINNER: “It looked like we were going to see a sub-23 first quarter, and we covered the first quarter in 24 and change and the half at almost 50, and the race was pretty much over. He’s got a great turn of foot the last quarter mile, and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES                           FLAVIEN PRAT, LULL, WINNER: “I didn’t think we were going that quickly. I wouldn’t say that we were walking but I didn’t think we were going fast. I guess she has a lot of speed because I was just cruising around and trying to keep her relaxed. “Down the backside […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES     GARY STEVENS, SHARP SAMURAI, WINNER: “He’s been working so well. When they’re doing that you wish the race was the next day so that nothing happens. “He’s improved over the summer. Mark and his team have done a tremendous job with him. We haven’t seen the best of him yet. He’s […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, TOP OF THE GAME, WINNER: “That was incredible, he’s a nice horse. He’s stamping himself as a signature handicap horse. “I didn’t expect that kind of a run off a layoff.               FLAVIEN PRAT, HOPPERTUNITY, SECOND: “He ran a good race. A mile is a bit short for him.” […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MARIO GUTIERREZ, B SQUARED, WINNER: “I don’t think we could imagine a better race than that. He broke with good speed. We didn’t know if he would have enough speed to be in contention. He broke nice and sharp and after that I just tried to manage him. I tried to stay clear […]

JOCKEY QUOTES TIAGO PEREIRA, BARBARA BEATRICE, WINNER: “I took ahold of her out of the gate and she rated very kind with me today. At the half mile pole, Kent Desormeaux (aboard favored Moonless Sky) started to move, so I just followed him. When we crossed the dirt, I asked her and she took off. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, UNIQUE BELLA, WINNER: “She’s really funny about the gate. She either handles it very well, or not so well. She of kind of rocks back ‘n’ forth and she weaves in there. You try and make her stand still but if you try too hard, she gets a bit aggravated. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, ROY H, WINNER: “I’ve been looking forward to this day for some time. He’s been a special horse since the day I got to touch him. It was quite a handy ride today. He’s fast. He probably broke half a length behind the leaders and I had him in absolute […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, ITSINTHEPOST, WINNER:  “I love this horse, I really do. Jeff and I talked about this race and it came up pretty much the way we thought. He laid pretty close today and he still had a really good kick. Wherever he goes, I go.”     VICTOR ESPINOZA, PRIME ATTRACTION, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, MUBTAAHIJ, WINNER: “The trip was great. I was really keeping my eye on Cupid and taking my cue from him. I was placed where I wanted to be and didn’t start asking him until late. But when I asked him, he responded.”   TYLER BAZE, MIDNIGHT STORM, SECOND:  “I […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, AVENGE, WINNER:  “Three Grade I’s, that’s the first time for me.  My filly was nice and relaxed.  When Nakatani (Corey, aboard favored Goodyearforroses)) came to me at the three eighths, my filly grabbed the bit, but she stayed relaxed.  I was a little surprised the other filly stopped like she […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   COREY NAKATANI, BOLT D’ORO, WINNER: “I was more impressed when I watched the replay.  I really liked the way he did it.  He’s confident wherever he is at, he is a special animal.  Mick gave me the instructions and the horse did the rest.  I’m looking forward to the Breeders’ Cup as […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, MOONSHINE MEMORIES, WINNER: “I had a great trip. She’s learned to relax, so that’s great. She broke well, she sat off the pace, dropped the bit and relaxed well today. When I made my move, she was all there. “Simon told me to break and just wait and see what […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, PARADISE WOODS, WINNER: “It was a lot different today. Last time was very bad and nothing went well. Today she broke just a tad slow, but she got going and really relaxed for me on the backside. We’ve been working on her relaxing because she has a tendency sometimes to […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER CONNER, MR. ROARY, WINNER: “It felt good, I know we were a longshot but he handled everything well. I thought we’d be in back but then the field opened up and he just kicked on. I just ran relaxed and listened to what George asked me to do. He’s a bit […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JOE TALAMO, PEE WEE REESE, WINNER: “He’s a tremendous horse. He reminded me of Obviously. He was going pretty quick but the way he was doing it…he was well within himself. Turning for home he switched leads and he still had a lot left. That impressed me. This is a really nice […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, RUN AWAY, WINNER: “He’s still very professional. Even in his first outing he did everythign right and acted like a good horse. He stretched out well. “I think the added distance will be good for him. I liked the way he galloped out today and the last eighth of a […]

JOCKEY QUOTES NORBERTO ARROYO, JR., SURRENDER NOW, WINNER: “I was hoping to not have to use her more than I did in her first time out. I think she ran against much tougher competition in that race. Doug O’Neill had his filly, Tyfosha, in that race and they paid a lot for her, she’s nice. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, ENOLA GRAY, WINNER: “She’s just naturally fast. The first part, she’s not that quick but once I got to the first turn she got her stride and started to pick up the bit. Finally, on the backside she dropped it. I know she was going fast but she was comfortable. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES             MIKE SMITH, DANZING CANDY, WINNER: “I jumped really well and took advantage of it today. I thought I’d play it off the break. I thought that if I jumped well I knew they would press me but at least I would have the jump on them, if I jumped well enough. If […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               MARTIN GARCIA, COLLECTED, WINNER: “He’s very special. He can be on the lead or off of it. He can be wherever you want him to be. I let him be where he wanted to be today. “You can see that I was pretty comfortable and he just kicked on. I knew […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, BATTLE OF MIDWAY, WINNER: “It’s easier to win (when going in :24 quarters.) We didn’t go super fast the first part. I think it’s better to run at a target and a good pace but we were comfortable on the lead and he did a great job. “I had to […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               MIKE SMITH, BENDABLE, WINNER: “She’s matured a whole lot. She was so much more mature today and more relaxed. She was aggressive leaving the gate but turned right off. She waited for me to call on her and when I did, man she really jumped into the bridle. “She’s been training […]

JOCKEY QUOTES             RAFAEL BEJARANO, FAYPIEN, WINNER: “She’s been working really well lately. She broke really well. When I saw Selcourt scratch I knew that Sheza Chattykat was the only speed. I knew they would go to the lead and try to take the race. I wanted to put her in the race right away […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, SIRCAT SALLY, WINNER: “She’s so classy, she relaxed right away. She ran great. She’s a dream to ride. “My filly locked onto Beau Recall so I felt confident that I could hold them off for another hundred yards, but after that I wasn’t sure, so luckily the wire came. […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES               RAFAEL BEJARANO, BIG MACHER, WINNER: “He was looking over at K Thirty Eight a little bit. Finally he took off and showed me a big kick. “I’ve been working him a lot in the mornings. The thing with him is the break. He gets nervous in the gate. Today, I […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               VICTOR ESPINOZA, STELLAR WIND, WINNER: “I wanted to let them go but they slowed down pretty good into the first turn. I thought ‘we can’t do that.’ I didn’t want to send her too much, but I didn’t want to just sit with her. The other two broke in front of […]

JOCKEY QUOTES     MIKE SMITH, BAL A BALI, WINNER: “It went according to paper. The horses that I thought would be in front of me were. Although, I did think I would get an inside trip but was given an outside trip. I thought it was a good spot to be and it was […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOE TALAMO, MARCKIE’S WATER, WINNER: “We had a perfect trip.Billy Koch pretty much told me about the horse and how he likes to run.I basically just followed Mario (Gutierrez aboard favored B Squared who finished sixth) around the turn and when Edwin (Maldonado, aboard third place finisher Dr. Troutman) angled out, I had […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   JOE TALAMO, S Y SKY, WINNER. WHEN ASKED IF HE GETS WORRIED WHEN HE’S GOT TO GET BY MIKE SMITH TO WIN:  “I just wish he’d retire, that sonuvagun! Mike’s filly really tried hard, but my filly is so nice.  She’s getting better with every race and she kept to her […]

JOCKEY QUOTES             GARY STEVENS, ASHLEYLUVSSUGAR, WINNER: “I talked to Pete this morning and we were on the same page; we didn’t want to be sitting ducks like last time. My horse can’t sustain a long run but he can run a long ways. “I pulled on him and he settled for me. They were […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, CUPID, WINNER: “My horse broke really well. I put a little pressure on at the half-mile pole. When I got to the stretch and was in the clear I thought I had a lot of horse and the race was over.”   KENT DESORMEAUX, FOLLOW ME CREV, SECOND: “It was […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, ILLUMINANT, WINNER: “That was a dream trip. She broke well and she’s just not fast enough to follow that fast pace. It was great. “Crossing the dirt, I was low and everything opened up down by the rail. It was great.”     BRICE BLANC, ANITA PARTNER, THIRD: “She […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   IRAD ORTIZ, JR. LADY ELI, WINNER: “I just tried to follow the speed, which was Avenge today. I tried to follow as close as possible and it worked out. It’s always a nice trip when I get to come out here.”   COREY NAKATANI, GOODYEARFORROSES, SECOND: “She ran gamely. She gave […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   NORBERTO ARROYO, JR., STORMY LIBERAL, WINNER: “We had a great start and I was only concerned about Mike Smith on Ambitious Brew. He ran good last time, went straight to the lead, or just off of it and ran second to us. With him being the only speed in the race today […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES               KENT DESORMEAUX, MOONLESS SKY, WINNER: “Flavien’s mount ended up shoving me behind the horses that were in front of me. I don’t think anyone can pass judgement on whether I was going to beat Pacific Heat or not, but I was deprived of that chance. “Besides the incident in the […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, RANSOM THE MOON, WINNER: “Last time he was really high before the race; with the pony, going to the gate and he didn’t stand well in the gate either. He ran well that day, he won, but he’s definitely improved a lot from that last race. “He was much […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES               TYLER BAZE, WHAT A VIEW, WINNER: “I know my horse can go fast, and each time I’ve ridden him I’ve learned a little more about him. I’ve really gotten to know him. He worked dynamite last week and he was ready for today, that’s for sure. “They were coming at […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MIKE SMITH, AMERICAN ANTHEM, WINNER: “I think you have to throw that last race out, the Santa Anita Derby. I was scrambling the whole time and he got hooked pretty hard in that race. “He was just really focused today. He jumped well and I eased him back. He eased back so nicely […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, VALE DORI, WINNER: “There were no excuses; I broke beautifully and I put her right there. I knew the two (Sensitively) was going to go so I let her go. I just tried to get my horse settled, get her comfortable. But when we got to the half-mile pole […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   STEWART ELLIOTT, SIRCAT SALLY, WINNER: “Very nice. She made the lead easily a she’s push-button to ride. She’ll slow down, speed up, whatever you want. When I asked her the last part, she finished out.”   JOE TALAMO, BEAU RECALL, SECOND: “No complaints. As you saw, she really kicked it in […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, EVO CAMPO, WINNER: “I had a perfect trip.  I didn’t expect the five (Responsibleforlove, with Tyler Baze) to be on the lead, but it was good for me to follow that horse.  I tried to get my horse to relax.  She always tries really hard. She likes to be on […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, FARHAAN, WINNER: “The first time I rode him, I got boxed in behind Prospect Park.  I had all the confidence in the world today.  I worked him coming into this race and I thought he’d run big.  I’m hoping he can build on this.”   TRAINER QUOTES   PHIL […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES               MARTIN GARCIA, COLLECTED, WINNER: “In the Santana he wasn’t even ready for that race. He was maybe three-quarters and I even told Bob that I was going to go easy in that race. The race happened just like we thought it would. The speed went, I just sat back, made […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   COREY NAKATANI, INORDINATE, WINNER: “That was a dream come true, ever since I started riding. This is the first time I’ve ever won the San Juan Capistrano. I’ve always wanted to win it though, from the first days of watching it to the days when I rode for Bobby Frankel. I learned […]

JOCKEY QUOTES     MARTIN GARCIA, LORD SIMBA, WINNER:  “He ran exactly the way I thought he would.  I didn’t want to take his speed away from him, so we pressed that other horse (Kentuckian, who broke from the rail).  When I asked him to run, he took off like we just got started.”   […]

  BRICE BLANC, UNION STRIKE, WINNER: When asked how he felt about getting his 1,000th win- “I tried not to think about it but it’s hard and it’s always in the back of your mind. When you’re one or two away and it’s not coming it can be frustrating. “This filly keeps improving and I’m […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, MR. HINX, WINNER: “The entire ride went really well. I wasn’t really expecting to be on the lead. I schooled (Mr. Hinx) in the dirt the last couple workouts because I didn’t really know where I was going to be in the race. Steve (Miyadi) just made me school him […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, SIRCAT SALLY, WINNER: “She is really, really well-balanced. You can tell she goes over the grass almost like a deer; she just skips over the top of it. There’s just no wasted action and she’s got such a quick acceleration. She’s just extremely impressive. “I would say this was her […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, GORMLEY, WINNER: “Today the big difference is that he was ready. Something went wrong last time, he was good but not quite where I wanted. I was a little bit disappointed but it seems like today he was on his toes, on his game and I was really ready […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, PARADISE WOODS, WINNER: “I’ve always been high on her. From the first time I worked her, I said, ‘That one is really good.’ She ran well her first time out (second in a six furlong maiden special weight on Jan. 26) but I was expecting so much more that […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   COREY NAKATANI, HILLHOUSE HIGH, WINNER: “We had a great trip. She broke really well, was tactically placed, and the inside horse asserted herself with Kent (Desormeaux). I was able to track them and give her a target, which was really good for her. She did the rest. She’s a really good […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JOSEPH TALAMO, S Y SKY, WINNER: “We really had a perfect trip. She broke very alertly. We were able to sit right off the pace, right off the outside filly we went to the front. Really, she just kind of took it from me, I just kind of let her have her […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARNO, BIG JOHN B, SECOND: “He tried really hard.  They went so slow early, I couldn’t get him to relax…They were going so slow, I moved a little early but we had every opportunity to win.  We were just second best today.”      TRAINER QUOTES   JOHN SADLER, HARD […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, PADDYS DAY, WINNER: “It’s an honor to ride this race today.  The Arabian association and Santa Anita gave a big check ($150,000) to the injured riders (PDJF) earlier today, so that was great.  This horse was full of run going into the far turn, we just had to find […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARTIN GARCIA, COLLECTED, WINNER: He felt really fresh today because he had some time off. He came today and won. Bob told me not to fall off.”     VICTOR ESPINOZA, DORTMUND, FOURTH: “He felt great going to the gate. When he stumbled, I put him into the race.  Going into the […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TIAGO PERIERA, SKYE DIAMONDS, WINNER: “I had a lot of horse left that last part. I pushed and I smooched but she had plenty left. “I waited a little bit today. The one time I moved early with her, she got tired. Today I waited, she made a move and the last […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, ITSINTHEPOST, WINNER:  “I had four different people tell me this horse couldn’t go a mile and a half.  I’ve that horse (Ashleyluvssugar) run so many times and I know he gets a big heart when he’s able to open up by two or three early, so I wanted to be […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, VALE DORI, WINNER: “She was definitely ready today. I knew Finest City would be tough but I was only thinking about the break. (Vale Dori) was more focused today, more consistent. She broke beautifully from the gate. “When I saw that Finest City didn’t want to go to the lead, […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, ENOLA GRAY, WINNER: “This filly, she loves the hill. She loves the grass. She was just out there having fun. It takes her a few strides to get going but once she does, it’s like riding on a cloud. “This filly is unbelievable. I can’t wait until next time.” […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   COREY NAKATANI, GOODYEARFORROSES, WINNER: “Her winning so easily is just a tribute to Richard’s team. Richard has been so patient with her and has let her tell us when she’s ready to go. “The group that owns her is great and being given the opportunity that I’ve been given, to ride […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JAVIER CASTELLANO, SHAMAN GHOST, WINNER: “I knew there wasn’t a lot of speed in the race so I just wanted to focus on the horse on the lead, Midnight Storm, and keep track of him. (Shaman Ghost) was comfortable the whole way. “I knew I had it won at the eighth pole. […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   JAVIER CASTELLANO, BAL A BALI, WINNER: “I feel great. I’m very lucky and fortunate to have been able to ride the horse. I give all the credit to Mr. Mandella and what he did; the way he trained the horse. “He came from way back and gave a great performance. Richard […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES               TYLER BAZE, DENMAN’S CALL, WINNER: “It was a beautiful trip. I talked to Doug before the race and we were saying that we hoped (Conquest Cobra) would go with Masochistic a little bit and give him just a little company the first part of the race. I really believe in […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES               MIKE SMITH, MASTERY, WINNER: Regarding Mastery, who was pulled up after the wire and taken back to the barn via horse ambulance after being evaluated by track vet, Dr. Dana Stead – “He seemed to just go off in the left hind. I don’t know why. Nothing happened that made […]

 JOCKEY QUOTES   MARTIN GARCIA, PRETTY N COOL, WINNER: “She was ready today and I think this is her best distance, six furlongs. She has  a lot of natural speed. “She likes to with time in between races and does well when she gets it. It was a tough race today but she was pretty […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES                 MIKE SMITH, UNIQUE BELLA, WINNER: “It was pretty eventful. Sometimes you just stay out of the way of the good ones and they’ll run for you. That’s pretty much what I did today…I was blessed enough to be able to lead my way out.”                 JOE TALAMO, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES                           FLAVIEN PRAT, AVANTI BELLO, WINNER: “We had a good trip. The first part of the race, we didn’t go that fast which is good for (Avanti Bello.) He doesn’t have a lot of speed the first part, but he needs to be right there at the end. With not a […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES     MIKE SMITH, AMBITIOUS BREW, WINNER: “The field was short but tough. I really wasn’t looking around too much, it was just about getting comfortable. Marty had him ready to go today. “I thought I had it at the wire. Victor’s horse is game though. When I stayed close, his horse […]

JOCKEY QUOTES     FLAVIEN PRAT, WILD AT HEART, WINNER: “I had a good trip. She didn’t break very well but I got a good trip. “The pace was fast but that’s the way it set up today. She won pretty easy though, she was much better today than last time out. “I worked her […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, ILIAD, WINNER: “It was a very lucky pick up mount. He’s a very nice horse. He broke well. Actually, he showed a lot of speed today. We were going pretty fast and I was trying to relax him all the way down the backside. “When I asked him, he performed so […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, BOLO, WINNER: “It’s his first race back (in seven months) and it’s his first time wearing a rubber bit. I had a bit of trouble. He’s so strong; it’s like pulling on the barn. If you give him daylight, he’ll just run off with me, which he’s done before. “Carla […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, VALE DORI, WINNER: “She got a little excited in the gate today. I’m not really sure what happened in the gate, something spooked her. She just reacted to it and almost went all the way over. It might have hurt us a little bit. She was aggravated for a […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, UNIQUE BELLA, WINNER: “The way she settled, I could have taken her even farther back. At some point you have to let them be who they are; let them do what they’re good at. I just let her do what she wanted to do and she picked it up and […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, ISOTHERM, WINNER: “I was hoping he would break well, and he did, so I kinda used that to my advantage. We didn’t go that fast so I was sitting just behind the pace and thought he’d have a good shot. It worked out well. “Today, I knew I had […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, HOPPERTUNITY, WINNER: “This has been a great day. Before today, I knew I had a good shot to do well and everything turned out really well. Sometimes it doesn’t, even when you know you have a good chance, but today turned out very well. “Everyone knows this horse. He ran […]

JOCKEY QUOTES    KENT DESORMEAUX, ST. JOE BAY, WINNER: “Well, there are certainly always anxious moments when you’re coming into the stretch like that but fortunately for me, St. Joe Bay did all the work. “He had about 70 yards where he had a nice breather. For me it’s just great to be on the […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, ROYAL MO, WINNER: “He’s such a big, heavy horse. He doesn’t have that quickness for the first couple of strides. As soon as he gets into a rhythm though, he’ll keep going. “I drew the inside. I wanted to be on the outside so I could track the leaders but […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARIO GUTIERREZ, ANN ARBOR EDDIE, WINNER: “Everything went really well until the 3/8s. I started asking him a little bit. He didn’t want to pick up the bit. I was worried a little bit turning for home because I really had to ask him. He has so much more ability than that. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, ASHLEYLUVSSUGAR, WINNER: “I had a good trip. It came really easy. Once he gets the lead he doesn’t want to open up, but he knows he has to keep at least a head in front.” TRAINER QUOTES               PETER EURTON, ASHLEYLUVSSUGAR, WINNER: “He got a perfect ride. I think […]

JOCKEY QUOTES     FLAVIEN PRAT, RICHARD’S BOY, WINNER: “I felt pretty good. I rode him before so I kind of know him. He’s a very classy horse and he knows where the wire is. “I felt like I had plenty of horse left into the stretch. He was pretty aggressive down the backside. He’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, SIRCAT SALLY, WINNER: “I had a beautiful trip. Mr. Hollendorfer and I talked before about the speed in the race and he left it up to me. She pulled me to the lead. I just let her break and find her own stride. She loved it. She was comfortable out […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, ENOLA GRAY, WINNER: “I had a beautiful trip. She’s an unbelievable filly. Once I put Bejarano (on Desert Steel) away it was pretty much over from there and I just kept her attention.”   TRAINER QUOTES   PHIL D’AMATO, ENOLA GRAY, WINNER: “I liked that position she was in (pressured […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, FINEST CITY, WINNER: “Breaking from the one hole in this slop, you gotta get outta there. She’s never had this kinda dirt in her face and I certainly didn’t want her to get any today. My only concern with being away as long as she has (Nov. 5) is that […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, PRIZE EXHIBIT, WINNER: “I was able to get her to relax early and she can be on the rank side. Sometimes, going into a race where there’s not much pace, everyone thinks the same thing and it worked out that way today. We took advantage. “I got a clear trip […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, VALE DORI, WINNER: “She’s just gotten so good. They’ve done such a good job of getting her to relax. She’s really come around. I got on her when she first got here and she was nothing like this. She was very rank and very aggressive. To see her now, it’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, UNIQUE BELLA, WINNER: “She was a little aggressive in the gate and she was off a tad slow. I probably could have moved her, set her up a bit differently in order for her to break better, but I was scared to do that and make her react and do […]

JOCKEY QUOTES KENT DESORMEAUX, BLUE TONE, WINNER:  “He broke horribly today and I didn’t know if he had anything left at the half-mile pole. I absolutely nursed him to the quarter pole and he showed all the class that he has and held them at bay. “Not for nothing but he must be a mudder. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, GORMLEY, WINNER: “It was nice yes. I expected him to run the way he ran today. I know he’s still improving but I think he only gets better and better. Hopefully, he gets a lot better, but with this race and his next, he has a lot of potential to […]

    JOCKEY QUOTES     COREY NAKATANI, WATCH THIS CAT, WINNER: “She’s won her last two on the grass and has been doing really well for Richard. His team over there…Between him, David and Thomas, they do a lot of work that we never get to see. They put a lot of time into […]

JOCKEY QUOTES     RAFAEL BEJARANO, MIDNIGHT STORM, WINNER: “The track has been playing fast since earlier today. I knew I had to put my horse on the lead. I needed a good start and when I put him on the lead I felt the pressure right away. Dalmore was right next to me, chasing […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, DECKER OUT, WINNER: “It’s been that kind of year for the Desormeaux family. It was doubtful from the quarter pole. I wasn’t getting there fast enough and I thought I had won, but with the recent photo finishes, I was scared to have an opinion. The end result was close, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES COREY NAKATANI, GOODYEARFORROSES, WINNER: “Talking with Richard, and having worked her and knowing her, the plan was that whatever came easy to her, don’t take it away. It was an off track, so I just went out there and did my job. I just shook her up a little turning for home, and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES                         VICTOR ESPINOZA, SOLID WAGER, WINNER (DEAD HEAT): “The way the track is, and the weather…I thought ‘ok I’ll get all dirty and it could be an experience’ but it’s my last race of the year so I’ll just go for it. “He’s such a cool horse. He likes to just take […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, CONQUEST ENFORCER, WINNER: “I can’t ask for better than that (two victories on his return from France). It was a great day. This horse was very sharp. I just wanted to get him to relax. He broke so sharp, I just wanted him to relax on the lead. He didn’t relax […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JOEL ROSARIO, MIND YOUR BISCUITS, WINNER: “It’s worth the trip. Not a bad afternoon. It is always fun coming out here. I was a little concerned in the stretch. We were closer than we have ever been before. They were smoking up front. We got a little late kick and he took […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, CONSTELLATION, WINNER: “She is a really fine filly. She broke well, but I couldn’t take a hold of her. She just wouldn’t relax. When we got to the 3/8ths pole, she finally relaxed and she did everything to get there for the win. I was fortunate to get the call […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   JOEL ROSARIO, BETTYS BAMBINO, WINNER: “The horse broke sharp. I was between horses, so I just stayed there and then when I got clear, I took to the outside. He gave me a good feeling after we left the gate. He just kept level and seemed very confident. You’ve got to […]

JOCKEY QUOTES    JOSE ORTIZ, FAIR POINT, WINNER: “She was perfect. She broke really well and went down the hill really well for her first time and I did too in the first time for me, also. We got a good position and as soon as we crossed the dirt, I tipped out a little […]

JOCKEY QUOTES KENT DESORMEAUX, CALIFORNIA DIAMOND, WINNER: “That was his best effort yet. Today was my favorite. This horse has been kind of quirky, but Peter has done an impressive job with him. He has been progressively getting better. This is a 21 and 44 horse, but he is calming down now. Peter is training […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARIO GUTIERREZ, HOW ABOUT ZERO, WINNER:  The post position was good, everything was good. She settled nicely and we had a good pace, which we thought we would. She’s a really nice filly and she proved it today.”   TRAINER QUOTES   DOUG O’NEILL, HOW ABOUT ZERO, WINNER: “Mario (Gutierrez) did a […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   FERNANDO PEREZ, SILENT BIRD, WINNER: “We had a really good break against three really fast horses . . . I know I have a really good horse that likes to come from behind and he gave a big run.”   TRAINER QUOTES MARK GLATT, SILENT BIRD, WINNER: “He’s an exceptional horse. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   KENDRICK CARMOUCHE, SCUBA, WINNER: “We broke a step slow today. I just wanted to get him into the race and let him get into stride and in position. When I knew it was time to go, we took command and I knew I had a lot of horse and we accelerated with an eighth […]

JOCKEY QUOTES KENT DESORMEAUX, COVER SONG, WINNER: “She broke like a Quarter Horse. I was fearful that I was going be 20 in front, but she made the lead and then checked herself and got into a nice rhythm. She carried me around the track very, very well and even had a horse stop right […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               STEWART ELLIOTT, ACCEPTANCE, WINNER: “He ran really game. He’s a nice horse. He’s got ability and he tries. He’s pretty quick himself, but that was a good post. I knew the horse; I rode him last time, Kenny said he’d put me right up there or be very close and that […]

JOCKEY QUOTES             TYLER BAZE, ENOLA GRAY, WINNER: “Coming into this race, the more I thought about it, I thought she’d like this firm turf. On the way to the gate, she was having a blast, feeling good and I knew she was gonna run big. In her last race at Los Al, I know […]

JOCKEY QUOTES             FLAVIEN PRAT, BIG SCORE, WINNER: “Since he won the first time out, I’ve thought he was a good horse. Last time, I guess I was a little too far behind the rest of the field and had to wait a little bit to get through. The winner that day (Bowies Hero) is […]

JOCKEY QUOTES     KENT DESORMEAUX, MISS SOUTHERN MISS, WINNER: “We have always been very, very fond of her. She works lights out but unfortunately, when she gets behind horses on the dirt, the spray sets her off. It wasn’t good for her mentally but on the grass, she just canters around there. She settled […]

JOCKEY QUOTES             STEWART ELLIOTT, GLORYZAPPER, WINNER: “She ran really well in her last out (her only start on turf) but she just didn’t have that turn of foot on the grass, like a lot of grass horses do. Phil knew it and said he would put her back on the dirt and shorten her […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, VYJACK, WINNER: “With the fast pace I knew I would be farther back but it was fast enough and we fought. There were some good horses in here and to catch those types of horses you’ve got to be good and you’ve got to be brave. I knew I was able […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, LORD NELSON, WINNER: “I was a little worried about All Run pulling away from us and at the three-eighths pole, I didn’t look like the winner. I think my horse is better going further. But when he switched leads he just took off and we really started running.”   MARTIN […]

JOCKEY QUOTES              GARY STEVENS, ASHLEYLUVSSUGAR, WINNER: “This was a great race for him. The speed was down on the inside and it set up nicely. He’s better with a horse in front of him. He’s not very big but he’s full of energy, loves his job and he loves Santa Anita. “I’m excited […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, NOTED AND QUOTED, WINNER: “I have to give Bob (Baffert) a lot of credit for this. I have ridden both (of Baffert’s fillies entered in the Chandelier, (the other American Cleopatra) and I started off wanting to ride American Cleopatra because I thought (with her pedigree) she might be the […]

JOCKEY QUOTES VICTOR ESPINOZA, STELLAR WIND, WINNER: “It’s a great day. I worked harder in her last race, the Clement Hirsch, than I did today. It’s always good to be next to Beholder, next to the queen, it’s always a plus. To be able to pull away the last eighth, it’s not easy! It’s hard […]

JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, AVENGE, WINNER: “She’s getting better with each race. She really surprised me out there today. Once I let go she really got comfortable and took the lead. Honestly, that was a lot of fun and we’ll see how she does for the Breeders’ Cup; it’s a big one.”   OWNER QUOTES […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, CALIFORNIA CHROME, WINNER: “He’s on his game right now. (Dortmund) wasn’t a threat today. Maybe the first quarter mile, but after that, I just kept pulling away, which only helped me get some breathing room between us and the rest of the field. “It’s tough when I get the one […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               VICTOR ESPINOZA, GORMLEY, WINNER: “I was really surprised. Like anything you go into it with a plan, but when that gate opens, everything can change. I originally wanted to take back a little bit and let him run in the end but next thing I know, something happened to the three […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JAMIE THERIOT, HOLY LUTE, WINNER: “I knew he was going to run big, he’s been doing well. Third race off a layoff, working very well, very nice. He ran phenomenal today. I told Jim he would run big. I told him I’d be very disappointed if he didn’t but, he did.”   GARY […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, AMBITIOUS BREW, WINNER: “He warmed up well; was cool, calm and alert. He jumped out of the gate well, I was in a great spot from the word ‘go’ and able to get to the outside smoothly, without losing any ground. I’ve been blessed to ride him a lot and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES           EDWIN MALDONADO, CALIFORNIA DIAMOND, WINNER: “The minute he left the gate like that, I knew I had a great shot to win. I want to thank John for doing a great job, he’s excellent.   “He broke a little slow in his first out, so I kind of had to rush him, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES RAFAEL BEJARANO, THEONEWEWAITEDFOR, WINNER: “I knew my filly would be up close, especially after the seven was scratched late. I knew there were only two horses in the race after that, Love a Honeybadger and Cioppino Pasadino. When I saw Love a Honeybadger break slow, I just dropped in behind Cioppino Pasadino on […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FERNANDO PEREZ, LOST BUS, WINNER: “Desormeaux (aboard Codacious) closed off the hole that was right in front of me. I was letting Sunday Rules go and then when I tried to go up on her outside, to sit just off of her, Desormeaux closed off the hole and I was about to […]

JOCKEY QUOTES     JOE TALAMO, MELATONIN, WINNER: “He’s a jockey’s dream. He just does his thing. He does not have to go to the lead. As you saw, he laid second, comfortably. What impressed me the most about him today was when Win the Space came to him at the eighth pole, he just […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, LORD NELSON, WINNER: “I was really happy with my trip. I knew Subtle Indian was the only speed in the race so I wanted to make sure I broke good and got my horse into the race right away. I found my position and then just waited for Kobe’s Back. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               MIKE SMITH, CHEEKABOO, WINNER: “Wasn’t that awesome? I don’t know what it looked like, but it was fun as hell to ride. I kind of feel like, ‘ok, now people can see I can ride a little bit. I can do more than just hang on to Songbird.’ “I knew I […]

JOCKEY QUOTES             MIKE SMITH, SONGBIRD, WINNER: “She jumped out of there very well today. The opportunity presented itself to sit just off Bellamentary going into the first turn and she didn’t allow me to take her back any further than she wanted me to take her back. She stayed in the spot that she […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, BEHOLDER, WINNER: “It changes every time. If someone told me before the race that we would go in twenty five for the first quarter I would say ‘no way.’ I thought we would go in sub twenty three, forty five and change for the second and I thought the final […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, MIDNIGHT STORM, WINNER: “I knew Heart to Heart was going to try for the lead and if I let him get to the lead, he’d control it. Julien tried to relax his horse right away. My horse is tough to control and I don’t want to fight with him, so […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               FLAVIEN PRAT, ILLUMINANT, WINNER: “Yes, I expected to be that close to the pace. Fanticola was the only speed in the race so I knew I needed to be right there. My filly has speed too, so I knew it would be ok. “I think she improved off her Jenny Wiley […]

JOCKEY QUOTES             MIKE SMITH, SI SAGE, WINNER: “Well Jim told me he was going to run a big race today. ‘He hasn’t had a big effort in a while but he’s going to give you one today.’ “He got carried out a little bit when we were crossing the dirt and we went a […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES BRICE BLANC, RIDER OF BERT’S MELODY, WINNER: “Sean’s really done a great job with her. She ran great the other day, but she got a little tired going a mile and one eighth and it set us up for a big race today. She’s relaxing better now and she’s getting a little […]

JOCKEY QUOTES             RAFAEL BEJARANO, AVANTI BELLO, WINNER: “I thought he rushed too much in his last out at Los Alamitos when I saw it. He still ran well and finished well in the end but I knew (what I would do differently.) “I knew Boozer and Songforjohnmichael were coming from shorter distances and were […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, GOLD RUSH DANCER, WINNER: “I had a good trip today but he was still a bit aggressive. Even though he’s run a lot he’s still green, he’s still learning. When I asked him, he picked it up. He came in a little bit in the stretch but I don’t think […]

JOCKEY TYLER BAZE, ENOLA GRAY, WINNER: “I didn’t know what to expect from her really (in her last start) and Phil didn’t even say anything to me in the paddock and I had only been on her once. That day was just amazing. I looked back at the eighth pole and there wasn’t anybody near […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               FLAVIEN PRAT, AMBITIOUS BREW, WINNER: “Marty just asked me not to rush him. He broke so well and I had an easy lead. I was surprised to be on the lead that easily with him but after that when I asked him after crossing the dirt, he just took off. “I […]

JOCKEY QUOTES                           MARIO GUTIERREZ, SECOND SUMMER, WINNER: “Every single race he has improved a lot and he showed it today. Today, he had a good race, he pulled it through and was very game every time I asked him. I’m very happy with him. When asked about returning from a third place […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               RAFAEL BEJARANO, WILD DUDE, WINNER: “I had a very good trip. I knew that (Subtle Indian) would go to the lead. I thought other horses would go with him too, so I just took my time. I knew my horse would show me a big kick but I had to make […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES MARTIN GARCIA, I WILL SCORE, WINNER: “Jerry (Hollendorfer) told me to see how the race happens and to go from there. My horse broke really sharp, so I took advantage. When asked if the addition of blinkers in his more recent races, or maturity is the determining factor with I Will Score’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, BEHOLDER, WINNER: “When I got on her, she let out a big sigh, which tells you a horse is relaxed. I said, ‘That’s my mama.’ That was the only thing said between me and Roberto (pony rider) on the way to the gate. “She left there sweet like she always […]

JOCKEY QUOTES ALEX SOLIS, STAYS IN VEGAS, WINNER: “She’s a very nice filly. She keeps improving. Jerry gave her a little break and she just keeps improving. “It went perfect. We wanted to make sure we stayed close and tracked the favorite. At the three and a half (pole) I had to move a little […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               JOE TALAMO, HOME RUN KITTEN, WINNER: “This horse has so much confidence, he works so well in the mornings and Dave always keeps him fresh so I just tried to be a good pilot today. “The track feels good. It feels great when you win. It’s easy to run on, it’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   ABEL LEZCANO, NANCY FROM NAIROBI, WINNER: “The turf was soft, so it basically fit her, she likes that. I just had my hands down on her and I waited, waited…In the stretch, I had no traffic, I was on the outside and I was in the clear, no complaints, no nothing.”   […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, QUICK CASABLANCA, WINNER: “To do it for Mr. McAnally is so great, it feels special. He got an unlucky trip last time and he’s a wonderful horse to ride, very talented and he loves long distance races and they’re my favorite. It’s a race you watch as a kid wondering […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES FLAVIEN PRAT, DREAMOLOGIST, WINNER: “She runs the same race on the turf as she runs on the dirt I think. The only difference is that when you run on the lead on the dirt, you get an advantage. On the turf, it’s pretty tough to run and win on the lead. That’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, PACIFIC HEAT, WINNER: “I prefer a fair track. She wasn’t really comfortable on this sloppy track today but she has so much talent that didn’t even matter. Her talent made all the difference.”   TRAINER QUOTES   JOE CIAGLIA, PACIFIC HEAT, WINNER: “She won at Del Mar, she won on […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   JOE TALAMO, TOUGH IT OUT, WINNER: “We had a good trip. Phil just told me to ride him like Kent Desormeaux on Exaggerator, so we stayed in the five path and went from there. I thought the track was pretty fair for the first few races, and these last few you […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, WHAT A VIEW, WINNER: “He was coming off the bridle today, there’s no way in the last month or two that he let me ride him like he let me ride him today. I think the horse is starting to figure (Kenny and me) out more than the other way […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, EXAGGERATOR, WINNER: “Well, if he shows up the first Saturday in May like he did today . . . he was ultra-confident today. He’s so mature and he walked to the gate like an old pony. He left there quiet and comfortable and I think that’s the difference, when […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, SONGBIRD, WINNER: “She’s just incredible. I feel so blessed and I keep pinching myself, having to remind myself that I’m the one that gets to keep the weight on her. That’s really all I do. She’s so professional, so good at everything. “She was spinning her wheels a little […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, DECKED OUT, WINNER: “I wouldn’t compare the journey (today) to her mental progress. The reason she had that trip, last time, was because I had to bury her, she wanted the race Quarter Horse style. She’s been that way since the first day she’s run. Now, she’s matured. She’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, BIG JOHN B, WINNER: “This horse has been training so well. I was sad with the way his last two races turned out, but he’s always training well, but the turf wasn’t always to his liking. He doesn’t like soft turf. So, we decided to try the dirt again and […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, GUNS LOADED, WINNER: “He ran good. I knew that Mr. Sexy was the only speed in the race so I just tried to make sure Guns Loaded broke well. I put him in the right position right away and after that I was done. I sat right off the […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   MARTIN GARCIA, SHEER PLEASURE, WINNER: “She has a lot of speed, you can put her wherever you want to. I was pretty lucky to be able to ride her again today. They didn’t give me any instructions because I know her well, so I took advantage of that fact. She’s a […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   CHRISTOPHER DECARLO, TUTTIPAESI, WINNER: “The last time I rode in California was in 2002 at Hollywood, for the American Oaks; this is my first ride ever at Santa Anita. “Every time she’s run for me, she’s run really well. The last time she ran, she was a little aggravated, a little […]

JOCKEY QUOTES RAFAEL BEJARANO, FANTASTIC STYLE, WINNER: “It just depends how fast you go. I decided to use her a little bit from the gate to stay close, I sat second the whole way and I knew the five, Amaranth, was done. “She’s been working really well in the mornings so I just think she’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, TARA’S TANGO, WINNER: “The blinkers made a big difference today, they helped me a lot from the gate. I was able to put my horse into position right away. I waited for the opportunity and when we got to the stretch, she gave me a big turn of foot and […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, SMOOVE IT, WINNER: “I mean, she did something really good today. I rode her for the first time; she has a lot of speed and a great turn of foot. I rode her with confidence and she was comfortable the whole trip. She likes being down on the inside […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TIAGO PEREIRA, GENEROSIDADE, WINNER: “I was so excited because this is only my second graded win in North America. Generosidade was so good today. We sat behind, we let the pace go and the last three-eighths, I was able to get outside and get up to win it. I thank Paulo, the owners, the […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JOE TALAMO, MELATONIN, WINER: “What a tremendous effort. I think I need some Melatonin right now to calm down from it. Dave and everyone involved are so high on this horse and his confidence coming out of that last race has really only gotten better, working-wise. We had a great trip, he […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, KOBE’S BACK, WINNER: “It was the best he’s ever broken. I’ve been aboard him in a couple of workouts in the mornings, before his last race and again last week and there have been a few times that he’s wanted to go after horses in front of him and I’ve […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, DANZING CANDY, WINNER: “He warmed up great, he was on his toes. Our game plan was to put him on the lead unless he didn’t jump out of there well. We didn’t want to experiment. We wanted to play our hand, right off the bat. Let’s go to the lead […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, WHAT A VIEW, WINNER: “Well from the ‘View’ I had everyone was going for the lead and this guy loves that; the faster, the better. I thought that if they all wanted to come at him, then he’d run them into the ground and I wanted to try and win […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, SONGBIRD, WINNER: “It was incredible. I got a bit star struck when I looked over at the big screen to see if I needed to do a little bit of work and I was just in awe of how easily she was doing things, again. I couldn’t seem to take […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, BOOZER, WINNER: “He loves this turf course. He runs well off the hill even though he hasn’t run off it for a while. Mark had him sharp today and he broke real sharp. I just followed Mike (Smith, aboard Forest Chatter) the whole way down the hill and when we […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, PAULINA’S LOVE, WINNER: “I’ve fallen in love with her. These guys have been so patient with her and have allowed Richard to do what he wants with her. She just keeps developing and getting better and better. She exploded at the eighth pole just like the last time and when […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARIO GUTIERREZ, NYQUIST, WINNER: “He hasn’t run since November (Oct. 31) so we know he was going to be rank but I also believe in his talent. I wanted to fight with him as little as possible today, let him do his thing and you saw the results. “I wasn’t worried about […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARTIN GARCIA, TARA’S TANGO, WINNER: “Today she was good. I think this is the distance that she wants to run, I think she wants two turns. She doesn’t have a lot of early speed. I think she prefers to go at her own pace and this distance lets her run at her […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, BOLO, WINNER: “We had a good race today. The pace was perfect for him and he got to run a great distance for him. “You have to be closer on the turf the way it’s playing so it worked out well. I knew the pace was already fast but I […]

  TRAINER QUOTES   PETER EURTON, KOBE’S BACK, WINNER: “Gary said the blinkers did make a difference. They probably need a little more. He tends to focus on the handlers (at the gate) a little bit and if he can see them, he tends to forget about the front part of the gate when it […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   BRICE BLANC, FLAMBOYANT, WINNER: “I picked him up at the right time. He’s very straight forward. I don’t know if the French connection helps, but I’ll run with it. “He’s doing really well in the mornings. Usually, I can tell when a horse has a tendency to bounce but he’s actually doing […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, HOPPERTUNITY, WINNER: “He did a good job. He broke OK today; he’s usually a bit slow from the gate. He broke good, the pace was good, so that helped us a lot. “I thought I was beat to tell you the truth.”   MIKE SMITH, IMPERATIVE, SECOND: “I had […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, SONGBIRD, WINNER: “She has such a high cruising speed, she has gears. “You always worry about horses that are brilliant at two. Sometimes they won’t mature or grow anymore at three. You’re anxious to see what will happen. “Favorite Trick was one that fooled me; he was brilliant as a […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, MOR SPIRIT, WINNER: “No, I never had any concerns. I actually got there quicker than I wanted to. I was loaded going into the stretch. He’s pretty special and I’m looking forward to facing more competition. “He wasn’t even blowing after the race. I haven’t been able to get him […]

JOCKEY QUOTES     KENT DESORMEAUX, WHAT A VIEW, WINNER: “He made hard work of it; I had a firm hold. I was surprised to see him accelerate again at the quarter pole. Kenny told me in the paddock that it’s not hot air; he’s never had this horse doing so well. He’s had some […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, VELVET MESQUITE, WINNER: “I want to thank John Harris for breeding possibly the most gorgeous-looking mare. She has perfect balance; she’s a monster. “She is really coming into her own. I think Blake and the whole team have figured her out. She just strutted her stuff today. I was so […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   EDWIN MALDONADO, SUNDAY RULES, WINNER: “She got a little bigger. She’s a small filly but she has such a long stride. I just want to thank Phil and Nick Alexander for giving me the opportunity to get back on her. She’s such a nice horse to ride. “Somebody got a little […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, SMOKEY IMAGE, WINNER: “I was expecting that. I was expecting him to run a big race today. I worked him the other day and he worked unbelievably. “I was very impressed. For me, I don’t look at it like a Cal-bred or not. I just look at him and ask […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, PACIFIC HEAT, WINNER: “I had a good trip. She was relaxed going down the backside. But, when a horse come up on her outside (Run Like the Boss with Joe Talamo up), she grabbed the bit and was a little bit aggressive after that. I think it was just because […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FERNANDO PEREZ, LOST BUS, WINNER: “She ran well last time but even I didn’t know she was going to run this well in here. I got a clean break, I took her to the lead and she was comfortable the whole time and at the end, she was still trying. “Corey (Nakatani, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   ALEX SOLIS, KERI BELLE, WINNER & REGULAR RIDER OF MEGAHERTZ: “Coming out of the gate I took hold. They went fast so it pushed her back even more but it worked out good because she was relaxed. “We have a lot of great memories of Megahertz. Last night, I was talking to […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, TARIS, WINNER: “It was a perfect trip. It set up, the fractions were realistic and when Mike came up on the outside of me going into the far turn the pressure really picked up. “Simon has done such a good job settling her down, the question was if she could […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, CALIFORNIA CHROME, WINNER: “I wanted to make sure to let him run a little bit down the lane, so he doesn’t create any (new) bad habits. “The way Chrome ran today is how he ran before. He’s one of the best horses I’ve ever been on. I am so proud […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARTIN GARCIA, COLLECTED, WINNER: “I was full of horse on the backstretch. I knew I never wanted to be in behind horses, I just wanted him to flow. Everybody decided to send, so I took advantage of that. He was a little wide but I took him back a little after the […]

JOCKEY QUOTES SANTIAGO GONZALEZ, PRIZE EXHIBIT, WINNER: “She’s a superior horse. She runs in better races than these other horses regularly and she showed her class today. “She has a lot of speed. I can wait and wait with her and I know she can still get there with her speed.”   KENT DESORMEAUX, VELVET […]

JOCKEY QUOTES BRICE BLANC, FLAMBOYANT, WINNER: “I speak to him in French, it must work! “He’s been working really, really well and I think he cares for this course as well. He ran really well for me last fall and he just didn’t get a chance to run during Del Mar, the race didn’t go; […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               ALEX SOLIS, SAN ONOFRE, WINNER: “He’s been training really, really good. He’s a different horse these last six months, he’s a different horse in the mornings, you can see it. He’s stronger and happier and he showed it today. “Karen and Bruce and myself, we’ll all sit down and discuss what’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, FOREVER DARLING, WINNER: “I had a good position from the beginning. I knew that one of Baffert’s horses would try to go straight to the lead so I just tried to figure out which one. I saw Martin (Garcia) go with Pretty N Cool and I knew she was the […]

California Chrome worked on Santa Anita’s main track at 11:48 a.m. Split times for the six furlong work – 23.65, 46.66, 58.30 and 1:10.04 for the final time.     ART SHERMAN: “He’s ready. I’m real happy. This is what we needed. He’s had almost nine months off and that’s a long time when you’re […]

JOCKEY QUOTES RAFAEL BEJARANO, GENDER AGENDA, WINNER: “I was afraid we were going to be too close to the lead but when I saw the slow pace I knew we were OK. Out of the gate, I let the favorite (Glory) go and tried to force her to the lead; I just put us second […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, RUNHAPPY, WINNER: “He blows me away. That was only the second time I’ve sat on him (first in a race) and to get to feel that power coming into the stretch was awesome. “I just want to say ‘Thank you to Edgar Prado.’ Edgar and I had a couple of […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, BIRDATTHEWIRE, WINNER: “Before the race I thought that we might have a tough time getting there in time, since she’s such a late runner and it’s seven furlongs; but during the running of the race, we were already in contention at the half mile pole! “Dale (Romans, trainer) told me […]

JOCKEY QUOTES GARY STEVENS, OM, WINNER: “He felt super today, he’s been training great. We got beat by a good horse in his last out in the Hollywood Derby and it just wasn’t his day down there. “Today, everything went perfect. We were rolling into the turn, I got to slow it down and he […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TIAGO PEREIRA, TOOWINDYTOHAULROX, WINNER: “This horse is great down the hill. Having him in an outside post is best for him. When he is outside of horses, he’s at his best. When he’s on the inside, not always. He was free today and he made a big run.”   TYLER BAZE, COASTLINE, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES RAFAEL BEJARANO, BARUTA, WINNER: “I talked with Richard this morning and he told me that she’s a special mare in the gate and not to fight with her in there. Just let her break and when I felt comfortable to put her in the race. “I knew Amaranth and Velvet Mesquite were going […]

JOCKEY QUOTES GARY STEVENS, OM, WINNER: “I was actually worried about (Eric) Guillot’s horse, Boone Docks. He worried me because he has won wire-to-wire so I figured they were going to try and lay up close and I didn’t want any unexpected company. The first eighth of a mile I didn’t want to shake him […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   LESLIE MAWING, BELLE HILL, WINNER: “It’s always good to win. I’ve been up north at Golden Gate and I’ve been watching the races down here all week. It seemed like speed was holding so I didn’t want to be too far out of it. I wanted to keep my horse comfortable but […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, FOREST CHATTER, WINNER: “He’s shown some fight before but I was really surprised at how much he showed today. He had some race today, he really did. We had to fight for all we were worth to pull it off and we were on the winning end; it worked out […]

JOCKEY QUOTES ALEX SOLIS, STAYS IN VEGAS, WINNER: “It went perfect today. I worked her last week and she worked very impressively, she gave me a nice turn of foot. Today, I thought I’d be lying right behind the speed; I wanted to follow Gary, he had the filly to beat. When I got to […]

JOCKEY QUOTES GARY STEVENS, DRESSED IN HERMES, WINNER: “Janet took the blinkers off of him today and it worked out good but he wasn’t really paying attention in the gate. I didn’t want to be as far back as I was, I lost position but it wound up a great education for him and he […]

*(Due to weather the CA Distaff Handicap came off the turf and was run on the main track)   JOCKEY QUOTES FERNANDO PEREZ, OUR PURE CREATION, WINNER: “There were a couple of speed horses. The favorite, Home Journey and Velvet Mesquite, so I knew they would go straight to the lead. I stayed behind them […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOE TALAMO, BEN’S DUCHESS, WINNER: “I was smiling when I saw the race play out in front of me. We really had a good trip. I kept her back and to the outside because the kick-back was a little heavy. I came into the turn and I had so much horse. “She runs […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, WILD DUDE, WINNER: “Well I knew Distinctiv Passion and Masochistic had the speed so I let them go and I knew Glacken Too would be the cheap speed so I let him go and I was only really concerned about the horse that was going to come from behind me, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES GARY STEVENS, NO SILENT, WINNER: “He was a stallion before when I rode him. He was very aggressive and tough to deal with and I was lucky to win a race with him (July, 2013). They gelded him and Gary showed a lot of patience, much like Papa Mandella. “Today, he broke clean, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARTIN GARCIA, ALERT BAY, WINNER: “Blaine (Wright, trainer) told me to put him in a good spot where we wouldn’t get into trouble, follow the speed and make your move outside. “I was pretty comfortable outside and when I saw Gary (Stevens, on favored Avanzare) ask him going into the stretch and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES                    TYLER BAZE, SMOOTH ROLLER, WINNER: “This is his fourth race and from the very beginning Victor told me he could really run and he proved it. I worked him last week and ever since I’ve been on him down at Del Mar he’s turned into a monster work horse in the […]

JOCKEY QUOTES DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, PHOTO CALL, WINNER: “I picked up the mount from Graham (Motion, trainer.) He’s been very nice to me and given me some nice horses, given me a lot of opportunities. Graham told me to place her behind the lead horses and just try to get her to shut off as […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, SONGBIRD, WINNER: “It lived up to the expectations. She opens that stride up and she has such a high cruising speed. “Not only does she have the ability but she has the mind to go with it. There are so many horses with that kind of ability but a lot […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, BEHOLDER, WINNER: “Richard has a big smile on his face. He told me yesterday, ‘I want to win but by no means do I want to knock her out.’ We couldn’t have scripted it any better. I told him that he might have to tack-walk her in the morning because […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARIO GUTIERREZ, NYQUIST, WINNER: “He’s been on the lead in the past but he was tougher than I expected today. I was expecting him to be easier but he was tough, he was in the bridle. I adjusted though and it worked out in the end. “It was good to have an […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, CRUCERO, WINNER: “Keith prepped him in a mile and a quarter race just 10 days (actually seven) ago and I think he was a better horse today because of it. He was aggressive last time and he just cantered around the racetrack today and had tons sanleft down the lane. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES             VICTOR ESPINOZA, HARD ACES, WINNER: “I think by the half mile pole I was committed. I already lost ground at the start from being bumped a little by Batti Man; he took me out of the race a little. I decided not to encourage him early and save ground. I thought my […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               JOE TALAMO, FANTICOLA, WINNER: “We had a great trip. She settled good off Birdlover and ran a real good race today. I thought the fractions were perfect. We went slow enough that it helped me and Mike (Smith, aboard Birdlover). I’m glad we drew outside of Birdlover; we were able to […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES MIKE SMITH, CURLIN’S FOX, NINTH: “She’s been disappointing going around two turns, both times. In her defense, she’s bled a bit when she’s tried to go long. I hope she didn’t today but at the same time if she did and it’s not bad, then at least you have an excuse. She […]

JOCKEY QUOTES KENT DESORMEAUX, RIGHT THERE, WINNER: “I think Keith needs a lot of credit for this win. We talked about the race on the way to the paddock and I asked him what he wanted me to do. He told me, ‘break well, but don’t chase them for five eighths of a mile. Get […]

JOCKEY QUOTES COREY NAKATANI, FOUND MONEY, WINNER: “It’s always a great opportunity to ride for Doug and Paul; we go back a ways. What a tremendous horse. “We felt my horse, Found Money, was quicker than his stablemate Mrazek and we got away great and there wasn’t too much heat on the inside so he […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               VICTOR ESPINOZA, STELLAR WIND, WINNER: “Whether the pace was going to be slow or fast…everything changed out of the gate and I was ready for it. I bounced out of there and I was going to figure it out when we hit the first turn. I wanted to see how fast […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, BEHOLDER, WINNER: “It was a pretty easy race for her. I rode her like she was the best mare out there, and she was. She does things so natural. “I always let her run into the first turn and let her get position. I didn’t really like that (Gonzalo Nicolas) […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, TALCO, WINNER: “When I came to the stretch, I knew Tyler (Baze, on Midnight Storm) still had a lot of horse. My horse gave me such a big kick off the turn, we were able to challenge him right away and then we outran him to the finish. The whole […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FERNANDO PEREZ, PATRIOTS RULE, WINNER: “The turf is a little wet today; he didn’t handle it great at first. He likes to close and he finishes well, though, so I wasn’t worried. He doesn’t like to be inside. In his last race he was on the inside and was fighting the whole […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               GARY STEVENS, CATCH A FLIGHT, WINNER: “Moreno was pretty sluggish leaving the gate and I out-broke him by about half a length. On paper and knowing these two horses’ records, it looked like a match race between the two of them and that’s how I wanted to ride it. It worked […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   BRICE BLANC, SPANISH QUEEN, WINNER: “My saddle slipped a little bit and it affected my steering because she was a little aggressive when that happened. The more I pulled on her, the more the saddle moved forward so I was a little . . . I wouldn’t say out of control but […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, HARD NOT TO LIKE, WINNER: “When she broke and crossed the dirt everyone was going a different direction so I dropped her all the way down to the rail. I was going to stay there and if it opened up, it opened. “In the stretch when I saw the rider […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   EDWIN MALDONADO, DISTINCTIV PASSION, WINNER: “This time he put his ears forward as soon as we left the gate and I didn’t move on him; he relaxed beautifully today. “I knew I had enough to win today. I was just waiting to push the button, waiting on San Onofre. I knew it […]

JOCKEY QUOTES GARY STEVENS, ASHLEYLUVSSUGAR, WINNER: “It looked like it was going to be messy on paper and it was. There was no real speed in the race and he was very fresh today. “I wasn’t afraid to put him on the lead if that’s where he wanted to be but Mike (Smith, on Going […]

JOCKEY QUOTES TYLER BAZE, MOTOWN MEN, WINNER: “Going in to the far turn I had the rail and my horse was really running. When I grabbed him (approaching the furlong pole), I didn’t really know if he would get goin’ again. For a split second I kind of had to jump (Spirit Rules’) heels and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, NEVERADOUBT, WINNER: “(Mike) Puype was pretty confident before the race. I didn’t know this horse but the pace helped him a lot and the track was a little bit soft and that helped as well. The pace was pretty fast so that’s good when you’re behind. “He doesn’t look like […]

JOCKEY QUOTES TYLER BAZE, SHEER PLEASURE, WINNER: “I don’t think me being near the lead was a matter of me trying to put her somewhere; it was a matter of getting her comfortable and her finding her stride. It was a great win today, she’s a great filly.” TRAINER QUOTES   PHIL D’AMATO, SHEER PLEASURE, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES GARY STEVENS, GO WEST MARIE, WINNER: “We were going extremely slow today. The key with her is to get her relaxed. When Rafael (on Wild in the Saddle) was getting out pretty good going into the first turn it gave me a little bump to get out and she got a little aggressive. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES TYLER BAZE, SUNDAY RULES, WINNER: “Nice filly. She runs with her head a little low but . . . she’s not real fast that first jump out of the gate but after that she’s a monster. She’s a train really; she just goes. Those first strides, she just needs to get her feet […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MIKE SMITH, KENTUCKIAN, WINNER: “He reminds me of Holy Bull. He has an unbelievably high cruising speed and stride. “He jumps a long ways and he was really running and they were still two or three in front of me so I was thinking ‘how fast are we going?!’ I knew we were […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, BAL A BALI, WINNER: “He did a great job today; he’s just a really good horse. I had a little trouble on the turn because it was his first time on a short turn like that but he can run longer than this; he can run a mile. He’s a […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, MY SWEET ADDICTION, WINNER: “With her and especially in this race, we let her decide what strategy she wanted to use. We’ve found that if you just get along with her she runs better, whether that be on the lead or just off of it. When you try to make […]

JOCKEY QUOTES     BRICE BLANC, SPANISH QUEEN, WINNER: “She keeps improving. Richard has done a great job. He takes his time and he’s been trying to get her to settle down and take everything in. She’s getting more and more professional. She has so many gears, she has a good turn of foot and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   FLAVIEN PRAT, CATCH A FLIGHT, WINNER: “I had a lot of horse on the far turn. When I got a good spot I let him run. When he got the lead he waited a little bit, he was doing it so easy. I split horses easy because I had a lot of […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, BLINGISMYTHING, WINNER: “I won pretty easy, I thought. I watched it again and knew I had the win. She’s just a nice filly. I broke her maiden first time out a couple of years ago at Hollywood. This is my first opportunity to ride her back and so I made […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   ELVIS TRUJILLO, SI SAGE, WINNER: “He breezed with blinkers and he breezed very well so they wanted to keep them on. He’s a very nice horse. He’s from France so I think he’s used to the softer turf. We sat behind and he was ready to go in the stretch. “I rode […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, GET HAPPY MISTER, WINNER: “He was really nice to ride, a really classy horse. I’ve never been on him but I watched all his replays and rode him accordingly. It looks like he can do anything; he loves to run. I let him run out of there and had a […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, QUEEN OF THE SAND, WINNER: “I knew I had a lot of horse but it was all about getting through at the top of the lane. Luckily, I had a lucky break, was able to hustle my way out of there, got through and had a run. At the […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, HOME JOURNEY, WINNER: “She’s got a lot of natural speed. I didn’t send her; I took hold and tried to get her to go slow and to relax. When we crossed the dirt, I had enough horse to win it.” GARY STEVENS, GO WEST MARIE, SECOND: “I thought they’d […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, MASOCHISTIC, WINNER: “This was just basically, don’t change anything that ain’t broken. I talked to Victor (Espinoza) yesterday before he left for Arkansas and he said to get him out of the gate and keep him going. We weren’t going fast down the backside, like 22 and change and 44 […]

            B. WAYNE HUGHES, OWNER, BEHOLDER, WINNER: “She met and exceeded my expectations today. She’s a nice horse and I’m very lucky to own her. We hope we have better luck than we did last year. I could easily be wrong but she’s the best filly in the world.             HOW DID IT FEEL WHEN […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, SHEER PLEASURE, WINNER: “She kind of got lost out there. She was out there by herself and was so wide she almost didn’t see that horse to her inside. I angled her in and let her drift in pretty good. She got down and really took off that last hundred […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOE TALAMO, SPIRIT OF XIAN, WINNER: “We won, so it was definitely a great race! I had a lot of horse today. Coming off that sprint race in her last out, she really showed a lot of speed the whole way today. When she got to the front, she relaxed nicely and all […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARTIN GARCIA, DORTMUND, WINNER: “This is my first win in the Santa Anita Derby. There are a lot of ‘firsts’ with him for me. He was really comfortable. The main thing for me today was to break well and put him in a good position. “Even though he’s won all his races, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES VICTOR ESPINOZA, STELLAR WIND, WINNER: “I thought it was good to be three-wide. I thought it was going to help me get the speed in front of me. It didn’t look like much but those two went and I was able to move out a little at the half-mile pole. “I knew they […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MARTIN GARCIA, GIMME DA LUTE, WINNER: “It was easy today. He’s been learning. The last two times he ran he was a baby. He’s still a baby but he’s more mature now and I was just cruising with him. When I asked him to go he just took off.” TRAINER QUOTES   BOB […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARTIN GARCIA, SKY KINGDOM, WINNER: “They gave him a break but he runs well after some time off. He loves this track and he loves this distance; the farther the better for him. He has a long stride and these longer races just make him happy.”   GARY STEVENS, FAVORED BRONZO, THIRD:  […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, ASHLEYLUVSSUGAR, WINNER: “I had confidence going in. He relaxed like a dream for me. I knew if he would relax, we’d have a good chance. I was loaded going into the turn, a horse came up to our outside, he got headed but he’s tough, he likes a fight. “He […]

JOCKEY QUOTES DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, HOOP OF COLOUR, WINNER: “Last race we went really, really slow and her kick, I had never felt anything like that before. “Today, right out of the gate, I was set up perfect, she broke well. The only other speed was Three Hearts and the other Motion horse, Rusty Slipper. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               TYLER BAZE, WARREN’S VENEDA, WINNER: “I was very confident. I was on when she broke her maiden a few years ago. “She is so impressive. The last three times I’ve ridden her she just does things so easy. I haven’t got to the bottom of her yet. There’s so much horse […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               GARY STEVENS, GO WEST MARIE, WINNER: “It wasn’t really a Hall of Fame ride. “She’s so athletic; she’s having as much fun out there as I am. “Not really what I want to add to my Hall of Fame tape reel. I was so loaded coming down the hill with so […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MIKE SMITH, SHARED BELIEF, WINNER: “He surprises me every time. I have to pinch myself that I get to be his pilot. It’s Zenyatta, Holy Bull and then Shared Belief for me. I’m so blessed to have been able to ride all those great horses and to be the age I am and […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, RING WEEKEND, WINNER: “It feels amazing to win my first Grade I for a trainer like Graham Motion. I’m very blessed. “I was following Mike Smith on Za Approval and I thought he would be a good guy to follow, I expected him to show more speed then […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, WILD DUDE, WINNER: “He’s been training so good coming into this race. I thought El Nino Terrible would go to the lead and Blues Blaster as well. When I saw them go to the lead, I took a position and I didn’t have any pressure from the outside. I just […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARTIN GARCIA, DORTMUND, WINNER: “It looks easy because he’s such a good horse and when you have a horse that’s good, he makes it look easy. “I’m always confident because I know how good he is. “I don’t think there will be any difference for him when we add more distance; he […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, STELLAR WIND, WINNER: “John told me to come and work her so I could know her well. I like her, she’s so smooth and the way she worked was so nice. I was talking with John today and I told him how excited I was for her race. “I wanted […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARTIN GARCIA, BETTYS BAMBINO, WINNER: “I had a lot of horse when we crossed the dirt; I was really comfortable. I wanted a clean trip. He’s a really big horse and it’s better when I put him to the outside where he can run free; he loves the downhill. “Last time out […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, DIVERSY HARBOR, WINNER: “Kent chirped to his filly leaving the gate and I said ‘Good, somebody’s gonna put some pressure on La Tia.‘ I was working her last week and she did tremendous, she’s matured a lot; she’s push-button. She showed a nice kick; I can’t believe how much she’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               TYLER BAZE, WARREN’S VENEDA, WINNER: “I was on her when she broke her maiden a couple of years ago and I knew she was a nice filly then. I was lucky enough to get back on her this fall. She’s been nothing but a blessing, she tries so hard. “Going into […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, SHARED BELIEF, WINNER: “I can’t even describe that performance. He ranks right up there with the top five horses I have ever been on, with room to grow. It really was so impressive. There’s no telling what this horse can do or the potential that he can reach. I think […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, FINNEGANS WAKE, WINNER: “No, I wasn’t ever concerned about catching Diamond Bachelor. I thought I could catch them anytime I wanted. This horse is unbelievable, he runs, he tries hard. He really likes it here in California, the weather, the track. Distance is never a problem. I thought last time, […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARTIN GARCIA, DORTMUND, WINNER: “He’s a really good horse. He’s just a big baby; he’s still learning. I broke sharp and I put myself in a good position. When I asked him to go he started moving slowly. It looked like Firing Line went by me but in the end, when I […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               RAFAEL BEJARANO, LORD NELSON, WINNER: “I had a perfect trip. He broke a little slow but then he took off and I was able to find position right away. I knew (Serbian Syclone, Jazzy Josh and Sir Samson) were going to have speed so I let them go and tried to […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARTIN GARCIA, CALLBACK, WINNER: “I was just cruising all the way around there. I asked her a little going into the far turn and then again when Light the City came back at us, she took off. There was no way they were going to go by us. “I don’t see why […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, AVANZARE, WINNER: “He had tunnel vision in the starting gate. I was able to go out there and Fernando (Perez, on El Nino Terrible) set a decent pace that was comfortable. He kicked home really nice and he was giving me that feeling down the backside. “I breezed him five […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   JOE TALAMO, CONQUEST TWO STEP, WINNER: “He had a perfect trip. I was very happy to see three horses in a speed duel. I just stayed outside and he wasn’t even getting any dirt in his face. What a race he ran. We were high on his last race, when he ran […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               TYLER BAZE, ALERT BAY, WINNER: “Going into the far turn I had some trouble. Bejarano (on G. G. Ryder) didn’t go into the turn real smooth and came out and bumped me and I was also getting pressure from the horses to our outside. Corey Nakatani (on Tamarando) was pressuring me […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   IGGY PUGLISI, SPIRIT RULES, WINNER: “The break helped us out a ton . . . He was in (the gate) a really short period of time and he really caught a flyer from there. I couldn’t give that up. There were too many fast horses in there, so when I could scoot […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   GARY STEVENS, GO WEST MARIE, WINNER: “A great trip. Eddie’s done a great job with this filly, and I got on her at the right time. I learned a lot about her. I asked him last time if I could just sit on her and be quiet with her. It worked out […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, MISCHIEF CLEM, WINNER: “This was all Bob (trainer, Hess, Jr.) . . . We were pretty disappointed in his last effort; we’ve always been real high on him. Bob has been entering him in these head-hunting spots because we thought he was ‘all that.’ Every race we always seemed to […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   AARON GRYDER, SINGING KITTY, WINNER: “I got to work her the other day, and it was very nice that they gave me the mount. I originally got the mount because Tyler Baze was going out of town – his horse cancelled last week, and it’s nice to see someone keep their word. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   ELVIS TRUJILLO, SAM’S SISTER, WINNER: “It was the perfect trip. I knew there was going to be a lot of speed in there and I knew it would be fast early on. But I knew that sooner or later they would have to stop. She’s a nice filly. I knew Martin (Garcia […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, THEGIRLINTHATSONG, WINNER: “I thought Lexie Lou and Jojo Warrior would go to the lead so I expected to put my horse right behind Jojo Warrior after the break. When we broke my horse was real fresh so when I saw that Jojo Warrior did go to the lead, I just […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MARTIN GARCIA, HOPPERTUNITY, WINNER: “I rode him with a lot of confidence; I knew I had the best horse. I just let him break, I saved ground on the rail and I knew they were going fast up front so I just had to wait. I expected that and more.”   VICTOR […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               ELVIS TRUJILLO, CALCULATOR, WINNER: “It was a perfect trip. I went wide because I’d rather go wide than be in between horses, or caught inside. I wanted a clean trip. He did it very easy today. Stretching out will be no problem for him; he’s very good.”   VICTOR ESPINOZA, ROCK […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   KENT DESORMEAUX, SHRINKING VIOLET, WINNER: “She tracked well; she runs like a European. The leaders spread crossing the dirt so I filled that spot and she was full of run at that point. “This was all Wesley Ward, trainer and owner. The filly has been to 12 different race tracks, but so […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, FINNEGANS WAKE, WINNER: “I thought today was going to be too short for him, but obviously it wasn’t. He’s getting good. I thought they would go slower up front but there was still good pace. I wanted to be closer to the front but not too close. “He was a […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, SEDUIRE, WINNER: “Seduire broke sharp from the gate. I was hoping she would because she likes to be on the lead and I had a bad post (rail). She broke well so I took advantage. I got her relaxed and tried to give her a breather. When I felt pressured […]

JOCKEY QUOTES MARTIN GARCIA, BETTYS BAMBINO, WINNER: “My horse hit me in the head and then he hit me in the (right) knee, too, against the gate. He was leaning on my knee that was in between him and the gate. In the moment the win was just exciting with the adrenaline. Now . . […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   VICTOR ESPINOZA, LADY PIMPERNEL, WINNER: “It worked out well this time. I wanted to stay up closer today. Last time, she broke a little slow and we had to make up a lot of ground. Today I wanted to stay closer to the pace, I didn’t want to be too far back. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, DISTINCTIV PASSION, WINNER: “I was just trying to get along with him. The way to keep him going turning for home is to get along with him on the backside. If you can’t do that, they won’t finish for you. I wanted to keep him happy and I was in […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               MIKE SMITH, SHARED BELIEF, WINNER: “He broke extremely well today which I was really, really happy with. He didn’t go real quick the first quarter mile but we really picked it up from then on; it was a horse race. “I don’t know if people really understand how difficult it is […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, ALERT BAY, WINNER: “I’m really confident in this horse; the horse is just amazing. I started with him last January. I missed out on riding him at Del Mar when my baby was born, but for the owners to stick with me is just real special. I had so much […]

JOCKEY QUOTES ELVIS TRUJILLO, SAM’S SISTER, WINNER: “I had a perfect trip. I saw a lot of speed in the race when I looked at it and three or four horses went to the lead. I sat covered up and in the stretch, I was in the clear. “The last sixteenth I could see Rafael […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   JOEL ROSARIO, FILIMBI, WINNER: “She broke well and I could see that everybody else was sending their horse, trying to get a position early so I just let her stay happy where she was at. I know she has a good finish so I waited and when I asked her she […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   DENNIS CARR, AMARANTH, WINNER: “With her (Amaranth) it’s pretty straight forward, literally. She’s so fast out of the gate that the hardest thing with her is getting her to relax the first part. I almost did about half way down the backside until Mike Smith’s filly kind of ran up inside of […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   COREY NAKATANI, LEXIE LOU, WINNER: “Back when she won the Queen’s Plate (1 ¼ miles at Woodbine against Canadian-breds July 6) I spoke with Gary (Barber, owner) during Del Mar about going up there to ride her. If (regular rider) Patrick Husbands rode another horse in that race I would have gotten […]

JOCKEY QUOTES RAFAEL BEJARANO, BOOZER, WINNER: “I didn’t expect to get the lead too easy. He can run anywhere, but he likes to be up close; one, two or three and he’ll run well. I thought Super Ability would go straight to the lead but he broke a little slow, so I took us straight […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               MARTIN GARCIA, LORD NELSON, WINNER: (Breaking from the 10 post)”He had a really good trip. The speed (All Indians and Social Request) came up inside of us and there wasn’t much room. They pushed us around a little so I just let him go and he took off. I think that’s […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, VELVET MESQUITE, WINNER: “She’s a big filly and she broke a little slow. I had to ask her a little when we were making that right-hand turn; I didn’t have much choice. She’s so tall that it took her longer to get up after slipping a little at the start. […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   JOE TALAMO, HER EMMYNENCY, WINNER: “Mike (Stidham, trainer) and his assistant Chris (Davis), they’ve done such a great job with her, getting her ready. Really, ever since she broke her maiden they were pointing for the Del Mar Debutante and then this so (it was) a plan well-executed. I’m so glad […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   COREY NAKATANI, LUCK OF THE KITTEN, WINNER: “He’s got a lot of ability. He’s got a high cruising speed which is good for 2-year-olds and he’s a big strong colt. I have to thank Wesley (Ward, trainer) and the Ramseys (owners) for giving me the chance to ride him. I got to […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   JOE TALAMO, BIG BANE THEORY, WINNER: “We had a perfect trip. I was able to save ground. They were flying up front, goin’ pretty quick which was perfect for us. I saw Soi Phet drifting out on the (far) turn a bit and I had to weave us through a bit […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   OLIVIER DOLEUZE, RICH TAPESTRY, WINNER: “He’s such a nice horse. He traveled well and he did what we asked of him today. He’s going to improve from this race so he’ll absolutely be ready for the Breeders’ Cup.”   RAFAEL BEJARANO, GOLDENCENTS, SECOND: “We broke really well but not as fast […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   ELVIS TRUJILLO, TOP KISSER, WINNER: “It was a good race. She broke sharp, we had a good position and I knew they were going too fast on the front end, 21, 44 for the half. I knew they had to stop. I asked her at the quarter pole and she kicked […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   TYLER BAZE, BRIGHT THOUGHT, WINNER: “Being on the lead with Big Kick didn’t bother me at all. I have watched Bright Thought’s replays and I’ve been watching him race for a year-and-a-half. I’ve been trying to get on him for over a year-and-a-half. So when they gave me the opportunity to get […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   RAFAEL BEJARANO, ANGELA RENEE, WINNER: “I knew Conquest Eclipse was going to be tough to beat and I knew that Sunday Sonnet was going to be the speed. I got us right into the race and when I saw Sunday Sonnet go to the lead, I just tried to stay right behind. […]

JOCKEY QUOTES   MIKE SMITH, SHARED BELIEF, WINNER: “They tried to use some tactics on me which made the win today even sweeter. They just kept taking me wide, taking me wide, and I believe if you want to press the pace or take me out a little bit, OK. But doing it at all […]

  JOCKEY QUOTES   ROSIE NAPRAVNIK, EMOLLIENT, WINNER: Responding to question about traffic trouble around the first turn: “I had so much horse I knew I could wait until something opened up. I was in a good position and could see where the holes were going to open up and she was really on her […]

JOCKEY QUOTES VICTOR ESPINOZA, AMERICAN PHAROAH, WINNER: “All the way he was on a high cruising speed. He has such a long stride. He moves really nice and is light on his feet. When the other horse, (Calculator) got close to me, I encouraged my horse a little. He’s a young so I want to […]

JOCKEY QUOTES               MIKE SMITH, BEHOLDER, WINNER: “She felt great, really good. We were worried about her getting a little tired. We were hoping we could get a bit tired but still win in hand but I had to ride her a little. The second-place mare, Tiz Midnight, is a race-fit mare. She’s run […]

JOCKEY QUOTES JOE TALAMO, HOME RUN KITTEN, WINNER: “He’s a horse that’s better when you put a little pace in front of him. We were disappointed with his last out in the Del Mar Derby because he was training so well. They went pretty slow up front that day, though. I was talking with Dave […]