LONGINES JUST A GAME (G1) QUOTES

Saturday, June 9, 2012

 

 

LONGINES JUST A GAME (G1) QUOTES

 

Dale Romans, winning trainer of Tapitsfly (No. 1): “This year has been good. She’s won a Grade 2 and a Grade 1. She really needed a Grade 1 and deserved a Grade 1. We were thinking about running at Churchill, but I knew we needed to take on the big girls. Very impressive.”

 

“Hopefully this is just a set up for things to come later in the day.”

 

“A mile is her best distance. She’s proven that several times. We’ll look around the country, but most likely Saratoga [for her next start]. She likes to run and she’s just so sound and does things so right. She wants to win. She’s competitive.”

 

“Frank Jones, my father trained for him when I was born, so it’s always good to win for him. Plus I bought her mother for him as a race filly. It’s been good. She’s like a member of the family.”

 

Ramon Dominguez, winning jockey aboard of Tapitsfly (No. 1): “It was excellent. Looking on paper, there was no speed. I was pretty happy when I got to the paddock and Dale said to me ‘Try to put her on the lead.’ It worked out beautifully.  She relaxed for me. Turning for home, she gave a great kick. She was moving right along. I’m assuming the turf course is a little bit on the firm side, which contributed to the fractions to not being as slow as you would have thought. She came home very fast, and I guess the final time was very fast, too. In a race like this, you cannot underestimate Hungry Island and Winter Memories; you know they’re going to be coming at you. There is really no time to be taking a peek back to see if you’re in front by two. I just went to ride her and I was very happy with her response.”

 

James Toner, trainer of runner-up Winter Memories (No. 4): Jimmy Toner, trainer, Winter Memories (No. 4):  “[Speed has been holding on the grass] that way all week. I was concerned. If you look at all the races, it’s 1-2, 1-2. Take nothing away from [Tapitsfly]; she ran a freaky race. My filly ran her race; no excuses today. We got outrun by a better horse today. There are some quality fillies out there. It’s a tough division. We’re going to have some fun this year.”

 

Javier Castellano, rider of runner-up Winter Memories (No. 4): “She was just second-best today, unfortunately. I’m not disappointed. We ran fast, and she finished very strong today. The winner never looked back. She won in a good time, 1:32 [1/5]. Amazing. I thought I would be able to get there, but the winner never stopped. She just kept going.”

 

John Velazquez, rider aboard third-place finisher Hungry Island (No. 5): “My horse just fell behind a bit too much early and the fractions. She responded well when I asked her but it was tough to make up that much ground.”