TVG Dirt Mile Quotes

Breeders’ Cup World Championships

Quotes for the $1 Million TVG Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Garrett Gomez (jockey, Albertus Maximus, 1st) – “I was having a fairly good trip. He wanted to get out a bit on the first turn. He’s just a horse who hasn’t been back in traffic much. He’s almost like riding a green horse back in the pack. Once I lined up down the backstretch, and got him into a kind of rhythm, he was traveling really well for me.

“Actually, I had to move before I wanted to at the three-eighths pole. I was waiting to see what was happening with Well Armed, hoping he’d get shoved down inside and I could swoop around him. Johnny Murtagh (on Lord Admiral) started making a run on my hip. When he started making his run, I had to go with him and he had me down inside. I had to wait on (My Pal Charlie). He found a hole and I followed him in there and it worked out perfectly.”

Vladimir Cerin (trainer, Albertus Maximus, 1st) – “Garrett (Gomez) had him in a perfect position on the first turn. I was a little concerned when he went inside, but the red sea parted. It was a superlative performance by a superlative athlete. It feels great; unbelievable to win my first Breeders’ Cup.”

Edgar Prado (jockey, Rebellion, 2nd) – “The horse lunged out of the gate, so it wasn’t a good start, but there was a lot of speed in the race and I sat back and took my time. I thought maybe he would have some finish to him. I was very proud of the way he tried.”

Graham Motion (trainer, Rebellion, 2nd) – “He ran huge. That’s how we hoped he’d run. He just couldn’t quite get there, but how could you be disappointed when second in the Breeders’ Cup. This horse is unbelievably consistent and he’s probably going a distance that is not his best. I’m thrilled. I’d rather win, though.”

Julio Canani (trainer, Two Step Salsa, 3rd) – “He ran well. The time he ran at Philadelphia (6th in Pennsylvania Derby), he got really excited in the gate and the track was dry because they didn't put enough water on it. Today, he ran his race. He’s a 3-year-old running with older horses. We expected him to run good, and he ran his heart out.”

Aaron Gryder (jockey, Well Armed, 9th as favorite) – “He needed a clear trip and he didn't get it. Going into that first turn, the horse outside me (Slew's Tiznow) leaned on me and put me in tight and that set the tone. I couldn't get clear with him. I had a little bit of opening on the backstretch, but that was it. The big advantage with this horse is his long stride. That's what you want to use; you want to sit back and let him reach out. He needed a clear trip today and I didn't give it to him."

Eoin Harty (trainer, Well Armed, 9th) – “He was in trouble every step of the way. Every move seemed to be the wrong one.”

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