FOREGO (G1) QUOTES

Saturday, September 1, 2012

 

FOREGO (G1) QUOTES

 

Kiaran McLaughlin, winning trainer of Emcee (No. 6): “Had we been outside in the Vanderbilt, we might have been in a better spot. I’m just happy to win with this horse. He deserved a Grade 1, and he got it today.”

 

“We felt earlier this morning that Shackleford might be there ahead of us with [Pacific Ocean] and we would lay third, but we laid second. It helped that we don’t have to run against [Shackleford]; he’s a very nice horse. I’m sorry that they had to scratch him. When [Jersey Town] cut up the rail, I was a little nervous, but [Alan Garcia] hadn’t asked our horse yet. It was a very impressive race.”

 

“It’s an honor to train for Godolphin and to have such quality horses. It makes my job easier, but I have a great team of people behind me, and it’s been an unbelievable meet. It’s hard to even believe. It will take some time to sink in.”

 

Alan Garcia, winning jockey aboard Emcee (No. 6): “My horse broke good and was right in the game. Turning for home, when I asked him, he ran and did it very well. I was very confident. It was a great post today, better than last time. All I wanted was for him to break good and take it from there. He did it the right way.”

 

Jimmy Bell of Godolphin Racing, winning owner of Emcee (No. 6): “He’s a deserving Grade 1 winner. It’s nice to be on the outside this time; he was probably a little unlucky in his last race. He exploded home. He was primed; [trainer] Kiaran [McLaughlin] and the team did a super job, and he delivered on the right day.”

 

On Godolphin’s success this summer at Saratoga – the Forego was the stable’s fourth Grade 1 victory: “The thrill is still the same. Every now and then it seems like the stars align and everything has really, really come together.” 

 

“It all starts with the horses. Godolphin horses are wonderful stock, and the patience to give them the opportunity to develop, and the time...it sort of all seemed to have happened right here, at a great meet.”

 

D. Wayne Lukas, trainer of runner-up Hamazing Destiny (No. 8): “That was a nice horse who beat us. I cannot take anything away from the winner. I don’t know, but my horse could be a miler. I think we may try him in the Kelso. He’s closing on all of these horses pretty good. If you throw the wet-track race [the Alfred G. Vanderbilt], he runs pretty good. He doesn’t like an off track.”

 

Rajiv Maragh, rider aboard runner-up Hamazing Destiny (No. 8): “I was tracking the eventual winner most of the race. When he started to move I tried to move with him, but he sprinted away from me, and my horse continued to go well to the wire.”

 

Barclay Tagg, trainer of third-place finisher Jersey Town (No. 1): “I thought he ran good. He’s getting older and he tries hard. The hole opened up; he had to do it. I thought it was a little soon, but you have to do what you have to do. I’m going to run him one or two more times.”

 

Edgar Prado, rider aboard third-place finisher Jersey Town (No. 1): “Beautiful trip, he broke good, settled right behind the speed and followed them around beautiful. When he took [the lead] I thought he was going to be home free, but unfortunately the other horse had something left.”

 

Nick Zito, trainer of seventh-place finisher Jackson Bend (No. 4): “I think we’ll give him a long rest now. The jock said he was flat. All the tests came back fine, but sometimes, mentally, you know what I mean? I think the best thing to do is send him to the farm and give him a long rest.”