LAKE GEORGE (G2) QUOTES

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

 

 

LAKE GEORGE (G2) QUOTES

 

George “Rusty” Arnold, winning trainer of Centre Court (No. 3): “She’s easy to ride. It got a little rough in the stretch, but she got through. She’s smart, she’s brave, she always fights her way through.”

“I left it to [jockey Julien Leparoux] because she’s laid close before, but he sensed those two [leaders] were doing too much. Her best race was further back, but it was 1 1/8 miles, and it was maidens. I was hoping for room, and she got room. We are going to look at the Lake Placid [Grade 2 Woodford Reserve Lake Placid on August 19 at Saratoga], but the ultimate goal is the Queen Elizabeth [at Keeneland]. That’s our home track.”

 

Julien Leparoux, winning jockey aboard Centre Court (No. 3): “She’s a pretty tough filly. She’s small, but pretty tough. It was a rough race. There was a little bit of bumping. She stayed there and still finished up to win the race. She won last time at Churchill very good. So, I was expecting her to run the same race. It was a tough race and I’m glad she won. The break was good, but the first turn was a little tight, then after that in the straight, too. We took some bumps. We tried to be patient and find the hole, and we found it. It’s always great at Saratoga to win one [race]. But [to win] three, that’s a big day.”

 

Wayne Catalano, trainer of beaten favorite and fourth-place finisher Stephanie’s Kitten (No. 2): “I think we were the best horse. Johnny [Velazquez] said we had the best horse. A horse came out in front of him right when he needed her. He was going for the spot, and that horse came out and shut him off cold at the eighth pole. That’s not good. Then he shot back through there. It looked like we had the best horse. That’s what the jockey told me, and I have to respect Johnny Velazquez.”

 

John Velazquez, rider aboard beaten favorite and fourth-place finisher Stephanie’s Kitten (No. 2): “I thought we had a good trip all the way to the eighth pole. I made the decision to try to split horses, and the horse in front came out. I ended up behind heels and had to steady and go back inside, and we lost the race right there.”