WOODWARD (G1) QUOTES

Saturday, September 4, 2010

 

WOODWARD (G1) QUOTES

 

Todd Pletcher, winning trainer of Quality Road (No. 3): “That was ‘Plan A.’ The No. 4 horse [Arcodoro] showed enough pace that we were able to maneuver outside him and get the trip we wanted. I thought he ran a good race. I certainly think we can make a strong argument for [having the best horse in the country]. He’s accomplished a lot this year with the Donn, the Met Mile, and this race. He’s certainly put himself in a position, if he wins the next one. Right now, the plan all year has been to run in these races. He got beat a short head in the last one [to Blame in the Grade 1 Whitney] but I think he redeemed himself today on a track that did not appear to be playing very fast.”

 

“We have tremendous respect for Zenyatta but we don’t expect to show up in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and have it be an easy field. [Do we want to meet her?] That’s what championship events are about.”

 

“This is the race we expected. He’s proven before he’s a top class horse and he proved it again today. It went exactly like we talked about in the paddock. I have total confidence in John [Velazquez] if he needed to call an audible, he’s always got that backing from me. But it’s nice when Plan A works.”

 

“We’ll see how he comes out of it. The plan all along has been to go from here to the Breeders’ Cup Classic … we’ll have his next to last work at Belmont Park, and his final work at Churchill, so we’ll probably go to Churchill Downs 12 or 13 days out.”

 

“These situations, anything less than a win is unacceptable. Anytime you’re in that situation, you’re going to be relieved.”

 

John Velazquez, wining jockey aboard Quality Road (No. 3): “He was much, much better than last time. In the Whitney I was struggling to get him going. But today he was much more willing and much more on the bridle. It was better for him to have a horse [Arcodoro] to follow. It made him much more competitive. And then down the lane I just wanted to keep him focused, because once he gets to the lead sometimes he gets lazy. I guess he's older and smarter because he thinks he's done once he gets to the lead. But overall, he did it well.”

 

Garrett Gomez, jockey aboard runner-up Mythical Power (No. 7): “[Bob Baffert, trainer] wanted him forwardly placed and I just didn’t know how fast Quality Road was actually going to try to go. I was just trying to get in touch with this horse and feel it as I went. He ran a really good race. It was an outstanding race; really. This horse hasn’t faced this kind of quality field and he showed he’s got the ability to run with these horses and he ran a tremendous race. I’m absolutely proud of him.”

 

Kiaran McLaughlin, trainer of third-place finisher Tranquil Manner (No. 6): “We were really just trying to be second or third and we’re happy because Darley [Stable] owns the mare and the sisters and it’s great for the family to have a grade 1 brother or relative. So we’re happy that we were third and almost got up for second. Quality Road is just a great horse.”

 

Alan Garcia, jockey aboard third-place finisher Tranquil Manner (No. 6): “He had a good trip. He can make one, huge run, and he was almost up for second. In a big race, if you aren’t going to win, you can finish second or third, and he almost got there for second.”