Classic
Winning trainer Rick Dutrow, White Abarrio – “After a half in 45 and change, we were happy and we were just hoping that our horse was going to run his race at that time. And he did. It set up really good for him. You know what, he makes races set up for him because he has as much early speed as anyone and he's got cruising speed to stay in striking position. So he kind of makes his own trip. At least the last two times he has. It seems he should have had a good trip in the Met Mile. He broke from the outside and I don't know how he wound up in trouble that day.
“I was extremely confident he would (get the 10 furlongs) at the top of the stretch. I didn't see anything coming and I saw that we were going to engage those two and I felt we could put them away and I didn't see anything coming. So we thought the race was over at that point. I was just yelling and rooting for him. We watched in the paddock and it was great.”
“We're extremely happy for our horse and everyone involved. I for sure wasn't thinking about winning my second Classic and the numbers involved. We were just very, very happy. I can't wait to sit down in front of a martini.”
(What were you thinking when they were coming down the stretch?) “I felt that he was a winner all of the way around the track. He broke good. He was setting off a couple of horses in front of him, which he liked. He came up on the outside of them. When he did that I knew we had nothing in our way, it was only a matter of someone coming to catch us. I felt good.”
(How are you feeling?) “I don't know how I'm feeling right now. It's incredible stuff what I'm going through right now.”
(What were you thinking when you got the horse in May?) “That I had a nice horse that was coming to me. They sent two of them. I was very happy to have those two come to me, but we weren't dreaming of anything like this at the time.”
(How does it feel to get a second chance?) “It feels unbelievable. Love it.”
Winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., White Abarrio – “Everything came out perfect. We handicapped that race perfectly as we thought Saudi Crown and Arabian Knight would be on the lead and we should be third. I saved all the ground on the first turn and then I was able to get in the clear on the backside. After that, it all about the horse. To be honest, I just let him do his thing and I don't get in his way. When I turned for him, I started to ride him and kept responding.”
(on Dutrow's confidence on White Abarrio). “He brought that confidence to me. He has so much positive energy and I think it transferred to me because everything he said about how good the horse is was true. He is a good horseman. He really cares about his horses and I like that.”
Second-place jockey Christophe Lemaire, Derma Sotogake (JPN) – “He was fighting at the end. He proved today he was at that level. I'm very happy with him. If I had to come alongside the winner, maybe the winner would have reacted again. I don't have any regrets today. He did his best today. The winner was in front of us and a little sharper today on the backstretch. That's racing.”
Third-place trainer Michael Stidham, Proxy – “That's Proxy. Perfect position down the backside and then just drops the bit and don't want any part of it, then all of a sudden here he comes flying at the end. It's the same thing, every time. He was the only one really closing, just like in the Santa Anita Handicap. He's just a super horse. So nice from day one to final day. Just a pleasure to be around. Just a really nice horse and I was so lucky to get the opportunity to train him.”
Third-place jockey Joel Rosario, Proxy – “We looked like we were in a good spot. But then he fell back a little bit. He does this does this all the time; he leaves himself too much to do. Then, here he comes again. I thought he was going to get second. He runs when he wants to. He's a good horse. We're happy with third.”
Fourth-place trainer Bob Baffert, Arabian Knight – “I knew when he had the 12 (post), it was going to be double tough with Saudi Crown in there. He is a young horse, he needs to learn how to relax a little bit. We were hoping, but we knew Saudi Crown was going to be the fly in the ointment and he was. White Abarrio ran a big race and I'm happy for Richard Dutrow. We just got tired. I am proud of the way Arabian Knight ran. The fractions were tough, but it was the only way to go for us. He showed up. As long as you show up, you're happy. He tried hard but he came up empty. He showed he has a lot of fight in him and this track is demanding right now. He is a beautiful horse, still young. He's learning and he'll run as a 4-year-old.”
Fourth-place jockey Flavien Prat, Arabian Knight – “He broke on the lead by himself and I had him going good. Then that gray horse came up inside of us and he got a little bit on the bridle. After that he settled down nice. He ran his race. He just got tired in the end.”
Turf
Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien, August Rodin (IRE) – “He has a beautiful action, very intellectual, just a dream horse. What an incredible horse he is bringing Japanese and European pedigrees together. So delighted for the lads and Ryan (Moore) gave him a brilliant ride. After three furlongs the race was havoc as everyone wanted to be in the rail then away from the rail. Ryan knew at the top of the bend where was he going to go as he had horses on his outside. He knew when he gets to the front he stops and hoped his momentum would get him home. An incredible ride.”
Winning jockey Ryan Moore, August Rodin (IRE) – “The race didn't go to plan. The first part of the race was messy as everyone was in each other's way and I didn't really like where I was. All I wanted to do was get the horse to find his rhythm and he got there so quickly and easily and once he got to the front that's all he does. Considering how the race went against him it was probably his best performance. Going into the race it looked a deep field and now he's won two Derbies, Irish Champion Stakes and now come here and beaten some proper horses. He's vindicated himself now. He had things do against him today and he overcame them. Ending up the rail was like Plan F and I had to make the best of the opportunities. My horse was getting a bad trip he won because he's so good I made the right call to stick to the rail but could have easily not been.”
Second-place trainer Todd Pletcher, Up to the Mark – “I thought he ran fantastic; kept trying to the wire and gaining on the winner in the closing yards. (Jockey) Ryan (Moore on winner Auguste Rodin) got a dream trip. We had a lot of people questioning whether we picked the right race and we picked what we thought was the right race for our horse despite the fact that you could argue that it was a tougher race than the mile. I think he showed that he belongs with all the tough turf horses in the world. It came down to one guy getting through on the inside at the critical moment. That's turf racing. I think he lost nothing in defeat. It was a gallant effort and I am very proud of him, Look, credit to the horse and Aidan and Ryan; the horse delivered. That was the critical point in the race when the rail opened up at the top of the stretch. If he has to wait a moment or tap on the brakes, that could have been the difference. No excuses for us. We're proud of our horse.”
Second-place jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., Up to the Mark – “I liked the way he ran and I was happy where I was during the race. I thought I might win from the top of the stretch, but the winner got through along the rail. I saw him, but there was nothing I could do about it. That was the difference in the race.”
Third-place jockey Cristian Demuro, Shahryar (JPN) – “He ran very good. The horse has come back like he was in Dubai when I won the Sheema Classic. He tried hard and he finished very close. I wish to him all the best next in Hong King. If he can keep this form he can be competitive again.”
Seventh-place trainer Mott, War Like Goddess – “She had to wait a little bit. (Junior Alvarado) said he was following the winner and they spurted clear and he couldn't quite keep step with them. By the time he got there, it kind of closed up on him. She didn't run bad. She just wasn't able to get going and get her run going, she had to kind of fish for some room.”
Eighth-place trainer John Gosden, Mostahdaf (IRE) – “He's a mile and a quarter horse. He simply ran out of stamina. He's off to stud now, but a mile and a quarter horse, through and through.”
Distaff
Winning trainer Brad Cox, Idiomatic – “I felt like she needed to get a good, clean trip. She did. She broke well. Randomized was the speed of the speed. She needed to lay close, not let her get away. They both fought on very well. That big stride came in during the last sixteenth of a mile. She was set up close to that hot pace. I'm very proud of the effort.”
On Wet Paint. “I did see Clairiere accelerating and she kind of left Wet Paint a bit. That obviously made us a little concerned that she wouldn't be finishing up quite as well as we were going to need.”
Winning jockey Florent Geroux, Idiomatic – “It worked out great. She broke super sharp. It was a question if I was going to give up the lead or not. I decided it was the smart thing to do. I just followed Jose (Ortiz) on Randomized around there. It didn't feel like we were going that fast, but when I came back and looked at the time, it was a little bit scary seeing 22 for the opening quarter. But they slowed it down a little bit the second quarter. I'm glad the wire came. My filly was getting a little tired at the end to be honest.”
Third-place trainer Ignacio Correas, La Da Vida (CHI) – “I'm pleased. I still don't know what she's going to do the day she switches leads, but I'm thrilled to run against this bunch of fillies that way. She ran a great race and got a great ride from Vince (Cheminaud), so we are happy. One day she'll get it.”
Third-place jockey Vincent Cheminaud, La Da Vida (CHI) – “She has a big heart. Last time (in the Spinster) she ran really well even though she was too close to the lead. It was not an easy race today but she gave me a good effort today. I am very happy.”
Fourth-place trainer Steve Asmussen, Clairiere – “Honestly it's very frustrating to get as close as she has the last three years in a row and knowing she's going home. Beyond frustrating, but she's a tremendous mare and I'm blessed to have a chance to train her. For her to show up in this and run that competitively three years in a row, you want so much for her to be the champion and I came up short.”
Fourth-place jockey Joel Rosario, Clairiere – (Did she flatten out a little bit late?) “Yeah, a little bit. I had to ride her the whole time. With the track today, you had to engage them a little bit. It was a good pace for her. I just had to ride her the whole time. She ran her race. It's a little hard sometimes when you have to come from behind. (The stretch drive) was fine. I got bottled up a little bit. She lost a little momentum.”
Fifth-place trainer Phil D'Amato, Desert Dawn – “She ran a great race. She ran a really good race. I thought for a second in mid-stretch that we could get there, but she's a filly who likes to get more in the clear and she was kind of bunched up in there. She was probably beat a length and a half for it all. She definitely proved she belongs.”
Fifth-place jockey Hector Berrios, Desert Dawn – “She put in a good effort. We could not beat the winner but happy that she ran well down the stretch.”
Mile
Winning trainer Charlie Appleby, Master of The Seas (IRE) – “Going into the race, prior to the draw, we were confident with the way the horse was. As the race was developing in its stature, we knew he'd be a big player. When we drew stall 14, I wouldn't say it was a dampener as much as it was more of a challenge for him. The one thing the horse was doing is he was flying out here and thriving. He's been beaten three times a short head in Grade 1s, so we know the horse has got the engine, he just needed the breaks and he got them today in a fashion from a draw where William (Buick) gave him an outstanding ride. We were always going to have to play slingshot and that's easier said than done, but Will gave him the ride he needed and he got up on the line when it mattered. That's the name of the game. Most importantly, it's great for Godolphin. My heart ruled my head out there and I wanted Mawj to win because she's a half-sister to our Modern Games (IRE). It's a fantastic family that has given us so much fun. Racing is racing and Master of The Seas did it in his own right. He will go to Dubai now, but he's got an invitation to the Pegasus, so we might take a look at that.”
Winning jockey William Buick, Master of The Seas (IRE) – “Obviously it was a tough post position in 14 so it was never going to be easy. We had to ride him for his turn of foot and the pace was good. I was lucky on the turn as I didn't have to pull out as wide as expecting. Once passing the quarter-pole he took off. I was then always confident he would get there. Credit to the horse and Charlie's record at Breeders' Cup is amazing. These races aren't easy at all and I'm absolutely delighted.”
Second-place trainer Saeed bin Suroor, Mawj (IRE) – “She ran a huge race and I'm happy with the way she ran. Oisin (Murphy) gave her a great ride and gave it everything and she tried so hard. She's a tough filly. Now we will take her back to Dubai and point to the (Group 1) Jebel Hatta and (Group 1) Dubai Turf.”
Third-place trainer Bill Mott, Casa Creed – “He ran a great race. Luis (Saez) rode a great race. Perfect position. Casa Creed is one of those warriors. Look who beat him. I will go back and review their forms, they are top horses. They are top horses when they are in Europe. I have no complaints. I am grateful. I don't know what Lee (co-owner Einsidler) thinks, but I think he will be pleased.”
Third-place jockey Luis Saez, Casa Creed – “We had a pretty good trip. He broke nice and he was right there in a good position. At the top of the stretch I thought I was going to win. He didn't give up. Those are two pretty good horses that beat us.”
Filly & Mare Sprint
Winning trainer Chad Brown, Goodnight Olive – “It's very satisfying. She trained perfect her last two works. Really beautifully. When she broke good and got behind Society, which I was really happy to see because we knew she was the second choice in the race and really fit on paper. If we could find her, she was going to take us at least to the quarter-pole. And I said to Irad (Ortiz Jr.), it's likely that other horses will be tired around you at that point and when she got outside of her, she was able to put the race to bed. Rarely does 'Plan A' go into effect and actually finish all the way through. That was our plan and Irad executed it perfectly.”
Winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., Goodnight Olive – “Beautiful trip. She was there for me every time I asked. She gives me confidence. I knew I was on the best horse. She did it again.”
Second-place trainer Rodolphe Brisset, Yuugiri – “The race worked out how we were thinking. Eda was up there putting pressure on Society and Irad rode a beautiful race on Goodnight Olive. We were where we wanted to be and we got out three-wide and she dug in and got a nice second. We got to be happy. A second in the Breeders' Cup.”
Second-place jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., Yuugiri – “I had a good trip. She ran really good. No excuses. We're really happy with her today.”
Third-place trainer Saffie Joseph, Three Witches – “That was a huge effort. I am super proud of her. She showed up and came back safe and sound. You always dream of winning a race like this. It was a big step up in class for her and for her to get a Grade 1 place was huge. I am leaving here as happy as possible. She ran her race and that is all you can ask for.”
Third-place jockey Luis Saez, Three Witches – “She ran her race and tried pretty hard. It was a tough race but she ran big and finishing third to (Goodnight) Olive, is not bad.”
Filly & Mare Turf
Winning trainer John Gosden, Inspiral (GB) – “An amazing performance from an outstanding filly. Frankie (Dettori) said he was happy with her throughout the race having a good pitch on the inside rail. She traveled beautifully throughout and showed an electric turn of foot. Turning into the straight Frankie had to sit and suffer for a few strides but once she got out she flew home and won very well in the end.”
Second-place trainer Aidan O'Brien, Warm Heart (IRE) – “It was a great run. We are delighted with her. She was beaten by a champion. She didn't see Inspiral, who came at her really quick, but she ran a great race and we couldn't be happier. Ryan (Moore) gave her a super ride. When she hit the front it looked as though she would go and win but Inspiral is an exceptional horse and Frankie was at his best. Warm Heart is a very sound and tough horse and I think she'll carry on improving. I don't think she's done yet for the year and if she comes out of the race well, Hong Kong will be the plan for either the Hong Kong Cup or the Hong Kong Vase.”
Third-place trainer Kevin Attard, Moira – “She is a wonderful filly. We hooked some soft turf at home (Woodbine) and she doesn't favor that. Coming out to California, we were looking for some firm ground and she got that today. She proved she is one of the best. I thought (Flavien Prat) gave her a good ride. Crossing the dirt, it looked like it got a little tight and maybe she got bounced around a little bit but, after that, he put her in a great spot. He had dead aim and she was traveling really comfortably and he tipped her out like she likes to do and she came with a big run.”
Third-place jockey Flavien Prat, Moira – “We had a good trip. To be very honest, when I tipped her out I thought I had a chance to win. She just got outrun by those two. She made a hell of a run.”
Dirt Mile
Winning trainer Bill Mott, Cody's Wish – “A great story, it's a great story, an inspiration for a lot of people. To see what it has done for Cody Dorman and his family and a lot of people around him. Look, I have a wrist band (he shows it) and it says “Cody's Wish. Sometimes wishes do come true. I think Junior got his head in front and the way he felt, he said that horse was never going to get by him. The other horse (National Treasure) drifted out into us and came out a couple paths and I think there was a slight brush and we probably brushed him back but it did not knock either of them off stride.”
Winning jockey Junior Alvarado, Cody's Wish – “He broke OK again, better than the last couple of races. I had to save every inch of ground with him. I didn't have the luxury of swinging him outside because I knew this was a tough race. He always is there for me. He is just a big fighter for me.
(on the inquiry) “The other horse (National Treasure) came out first and initiated contact. Once that happened, I knew I had one green light for me to go back at him. I just needed to keep him as straight as possible.”
Second-place jockey Flavien Prat, National Treasure – “The plan was to send him today. He ran very well, it was a comfortable pace. I was right where I wanted to be and he was really giving it to me. There were a couple of bumps in the stretch.”
Third-place trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., Skippylongstocking – “He ran big. The best horse won and it's a great story. If I could not win, that is the horse I wanted to win. Tyler gave him a great trip and got him into position. I am proud of him.”
Sprint
Winning trainer Bill Mott, Elite Power – “It's a difficult job to keep a horse going year after year. To come back and win two Breeders' Cups in a row says a lot about the durability of the horse and the luck that I have. We were lucky enough to have him and he's had a great career. He's off to his new career which will be in the stud barn and we wish him all the best. Irad (Ortiz Jr.) warmed him up good and he said he wanted to be close to the pace without using him too hard. He recognized all day that the only horse to come from behind was Cody's Wish and he is observant enough to see that. The rivalry with Gunite was there and he certainly showed up. I thought he was the one we had to beat.”
Winning jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., Elite Power – “I had a beautiful trip. I was in the clear early and the horse took me beautifully right to the quarter pole. I was a good passenger sitting in the passenger's seat until the quarter pole. Then I asked him and he just responded well.”
Second-place trainer Steve Asmussen, Gunite – “He's beyond cool. I just love him. They go 1:08.34 here and he ran so well. I'm very proud of who he's always been and how he shows up. He's been unbelievably hickory for us. A tremendous animal.”
Second-place jockey Tyler Gaffalione, Gunite – “I'm very proud of my horse. This was probably the best race he's run all year. It's a shame he got defeated. My hat's off to the winner. He ran a huge race. At the top of the stretch I thought I was going to get by him (Speed Boat Beach), but obviously, the concern was Elite Power. I was trying to keep him down inside of me on the backstretch, but I peeked in and he disappeared, so I figured he was on my outside. My horse was really running for me. He gave me his all.”
Third-place trainer Wesley Ward, Nakatomi – “He ran great. We're really happy. Sheikh Fahad sponsors the race and he ran really big to be third. He had to check there at the three-eighths pole. He came around them and came running again. (Going forward to contest the lead) was never the plan.”
Third-place jockey Luis Saez, Nakatomi – “He broke from the inside and tried very hard. He was right there and finished strong. Very tough horses in the field but he tried.”
Fourth-place assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes, Speed Boat Beach – “He went to the front and I didn't think he was going too fast. He just didn't finish up.”
Turf Sprint
Winning trainer Larry Rivelli, Nobals – “Absolutely not (how I drew it up). Stuff happens in these types of races and I think the jock made the difference today. He rode the horse perfect and stayed inside and the gap came and he was gone. This is it. I'm a third-generation trainer and we've been doing this forever. I'm happy for the connections — Vince Foglia, my buddy — and all my owners and friends and staff and family… it's nice.”
Winning jockey Geraldo Corrales, Nobals – “We had a real nice trip. I had a lot of horse and when the rail opened up, my horse was ready to go. He was the best horse today.”
Second-place trainer Christophe Clement, Big Invasion – “He was second best today. He ran a very good race, a very strong finish. I like to win, but I am very proud of the horse. He ran a nice race. We will try again.”
On Roses for Debra: “She was a bit flat, but I need to see the replay.”
Second-place jockey Joel Rosario, Big Invasion – “He ran really well. Sometimes the inside posts can be a little tough. I got a good trip inside there. We got shut off a little bit but that's going to happen sometimes, especially with so many horses and being on the inside. You've just got to get lucky all of the time when you are inside with so many horses. He put in a nice run. I was happy with his run.”
Third-place trainer Aidan O'Brien, Aesop's Fables (IRE) – “I'm delighted with the run. He's only a baby, only a 3-year-old, but I'm very happy with his run.”
Third-place jockey Ryan Moore, Aesop's Fables (IRE) – “Massive run. He made up a lot of ground and did his best work late on. Another 50 yards and he would probably have been in front.”
Fifth-place jockey Flavien Prat, Motorious, the favorite – “He got into traffic on the turn and I was expecting to be in a great spot. I don't know what happened in front (of me) the horse that was next to the leader, went out and messed up my whole race at that point. I had to wait more than I wanted to and the winner had a dream trip. In a five furlong race, there is no margin for error.”
Trainer Brad Cox, 10th with defending Turf Sprint winner Caravel –“It was a good trip. I was happy with it. She straightened up and goes a couple jumps and kind of just leveled off a little bit. It's not what we were accustomed to the latter half of last year and first half of this year. She owes us nothing and we are very happy with what she's done and accomplished. She's off to the sale. If someone buys her, that probably determines if she keeps racing, but no matter what, we are very proud of her.”
The post Explanations And Excuses: Connections React To Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Aftermath appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
