Saturday, February 2, 2013
BUSHER STAKES QUOTES
Michael McCarthy, assistant to Todd Pletcher, winning trainer of Princess of Sylmar (No. 2): "It was a very pedestrian half-mile and he had to put her into the race a little earlier than we would have liked. But she was much the best and able to overcome that today. The plan is to wait for the Gazelle [Grade 2, $250,000, 1 1/8 miles, April 6]."
Javier Castellano, winning jockey aboard Princess of Sylmar (No. 2): "She broke pretty sharp today and I didn't see much speed in the race. I expected maybe two horses getting to the lead; it was a small field. I was concerned a little bit in the first turn, the pace was slow, everybody was rate, rate, rate. I felt that we went so slow, I should be able to put her outside. I thought, 'Let me control the race, let me go after the horses in the front.'
"She's very amazing. She has a long, beautiful stride, but at the same time, when you ask her, she's got a quick reaction. I moved kind of early because I felt the pace was too slow, and she finished unbelievable. I didn't force her to go by the horse – I just asked her a little bit and she took off. I think she'll run all day."
Ed Stanco, winning owner of Princess of Sylmar (No. 2): "I'm truly in the zone. I think that's great, but remember, we are taking our time with her. We think there is a lot more ahead of her, so our plan – Todd and I talked about it – was 'Let's just take our time and let her move along and let her learn how to run and be happy. And one day, she'll be at a big race.'
"The Gazelle is absolutely a target for us because she can run the distance. She can go all day. I talked to Todd about it, but I think she might be able to go more than a mile and an eighth. As you know that opens up many, many possibilities, so we're obviously very, very thrilled. She's nice and happy, and that's how we want to keep her. She's a
