Monday, July 28, 2014
Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) Quotes
Danny Gargan, winning trainer of R Free Roll (No. 3): "We knew [going to the lead] was the only way we were going to beat [La Verdad]. We took control of the race and made her have to chase. That was the game plan, and [R Free Roll's owner Rich Averill] is a pretty smart handicapper, and he's a pretty sharp guy to pick those things out."
"It's always fun when one comes in and they are doing this good. We've had her for about two weeks and we worked her once. [Previous trainer] Kirk [Ziadie] pretty much told us everything that there is. It's nice having a coach like that - anyone can be the quarterback."
Will you consider the Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina at seven furlongs on August 23? "We don't know. It's obviously up to the owners where the next game is. The way she ran today with this bunch, maybe. I don't think they were catching her late."
Paco Lopez, winning jockey aboard R Free Roll (No. 3): "I hit her a couple of times, waiting for the other horses, but nobody came. I had a lot of horse and she ran really well today."
Mike Hushion, trainer of runner-up My Wandy's Girl (No. 7): "She's such a nice filly. We'll probably look next at the Ballerina."
Irad Ortiz, Jr., jockey aboard runner-up My Wandy's Girl (No. 7): "We got a good trip. [R Free Roll] stole the race, I guess. Nobody thought she would keep going, so they let her go. We were in a good place, but [R Free Roll] just kept going. My filly ran great today."
Linda Rice, trainer of beaten favorite and fifth-place finisher La Verdad (No. 1): "Jose said she really didn't like the mud in her face. We had a choice - whether to gun her and try to go with that other speed horse, or not. I left it up to Jose. I told him to figure it out on his own. [Depending on] how she broke, if he wanted to sit off it, fine; if he wanted to go after it, either way. Jose said she didn't like the mud in her face and she would have rather run on the lead. Next time, we'll go to the Ballerina, hopefully, and we'll be on the lead."
Jose Ortiz, jockey aboard beaten favorite and fifth-place finisher La Verdad (No. 1): "The winner went faster. I tried to sit behind, but that was not her best race. My filly tried to get the lead, but I couldn't get it. I have to live with it, and she tried so hard."
