FLOWER BOWL INVITATIONAL (G1) QUOTES

Saturday, October 2, 2010

 

 

FLOWER BOWL INVITATIONAL (G1) QUOTES

 

Roger Attfield, winning trainer of Ave (No. 5) [by phone from Canada]: “It was very exciting in the end, wasn’t it? After what happened in the Beverly D., I was pleased for her. When I heard how much rain you had had down there over the past two days, I knew the course would be soft and it was obviously going to be a dawdle, but I didn’t think it would bother her.  I’m not sure what’s next for her – she came into this race very, very well and we’ll have to see how she comes out of it and then sit down and talk to the owners.” 

 

Javier Castellano, winning jockey aboard Ave (No. 5): “I was pleased with the way she ran today. She settled behind horses, we saved ground and I had a perfect trip all the way. I really liked what she did today [splitting] horses in between. She got it done today. She fought all the way until the end. The ground was really soft and my concern was that I didn't want to be too far back and I [also] didn't want to be too close to the pace. I want to be in mid-pack and save all of the ground the best I can. She sat beautifully behind horses. I was worried a little bit coming for home because of the way the pace developed and fortunate that my filly responded well."

 

Bill Mott, trainer of runner-up Changing Skies (No. 3): “We didn’t know who was going to be the pace maker in the race and obviously there wasn’t much pace. We were close and she ran hard. The final furlong she was in front every jump except the last one where it counted.”

 

John Velazquez, rider aboard runner-up Changing Skies (No. 3): “I knew we were walking.  There was no pace in the race and I knew it was going to be one, two, three.  I just sat there and was patient with her and hopefully was going to have something to fire at them and she actually had a good run.  You’re never happy when you get beat but I’m happy she ran well.”

 

Nobutaka Tada, racing manager for owner Yoko Yamamoto’s Tokyo Horseracing Co. Ltd. of beaten favorite and third-place finisher Red Desire (No. 2): “She did well. She's been off for five months, it was soft ground, and there was no pace – she had many things against her. It was unlucky for her to finish third, but she was brave.”

 

Kent Desormeaux, rider aboard beaten favorite and third-place finisher Red Desire (No. 2): “Turning for home, I didn't think I could lose. I think this set her up for a monstrous effort. I can't wait to ride her back.”