DIANA (G1) QUOTES

Saturday, July 28, 2012

 

 

DIANA (G1) QUOTES

 

James Toner, winning trainer of favored Winter Memories (No. 5): "There was no pace. I think we were closer due to the way the race was shaping up. I just left it in Javier [Castellano's] hands and said, 'Just do what you want to do, but I wouldn't let [Tapitsfly] get too far away from us today.'"

 

"I was aware [speed had been doing well on the turf.] It didn't make me feel any better going into it. I saw that and said, 'Oh, this is not good.' But I do think [Law of the Range] put a little pressure on [Tapitsfly], and Javi just got after her a little bit sooner."

 

Javier Castellano, winning jockey aboard Winter Memories (No. 5): "I am very fortunate to ride this filly. She's very honest. She's a nice filly. I was concerned a little bit because it was a small field. I would have liked to cover her up a little bit at the beginning of the race. There wasn't much speed in the race. That was my concern. It worked out great. It was amazing. She was able to cover up. She was able to finish so well today. Tapitsfly took advantage the last time [in the Just a Game]. There was not much speed in that race and it was a short distance. Today was my opportunity. My filly is a 1 1/8-mile or a 1 ¼-mile horse. She likes the two turns. She likes to cover up and she gave me that kick."

 

John Phillips, winning owner of Winter Memories (No. 5): "She likes upstate New York. It's a great venue. She is one very, very good horse, and we're proud to have her. She's tough. I know one thing about her – she, like the rest of her family, will give her best. It's a wonderful quality, in people or horses. I almost didn't know how to handle [her having a clean trip]. She was four-wide and trouble-free, and I'm thinking, 'I'm not sure what's going to happen here!' It was quite a move that she made."

 

Nicolas de Chambure of Etreham Farm, owner of runner-up Dream Peace (No. 4): "It was her first time [running] since May, so she probably needed the race. She's staying in America now [with Chad Brown], so hopefully we'll be able to pick up a Grade 1 win for her. We're very happy though, she ran a very good race."

 

Julien Leparoux, rider aboard runner-up Dream Peace (No. 4): "She ran really good race. We saved ground along the inside and I had room to go whenever I wanted. Tapitsfly set a good pace for us. But my filly takes a little time to get going. I think more distance will be OK for her."

 

Chad Brown, trainer of third-place finisher Zagora (No. 3): "The winner ran a great race. Ramon [Dominguez] gave me a giant trip on the inside. I hadn't run her in 10 weeks; I thought I had her ready. Maybe she was just a little short, but it was a tremendous performance, and hats off to the winner."

 

Ramon Dominguez, rider aboard third-place finisher Zagora (No. 3): "I had a great trip. I was able to sit in the pocket right behind the two leaders. I really had first run at them if I wanted. But I decided to wait a little longer because I saw that the winner at that point was coming with a really strong run. I just felt like I wasn't going to be able to keep up with her. When I finally got my filly out she came running and was able to be third."