Breeders’ Cup World Championships
$2 Million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1)
Race Quotes
Contact Notes Team (859) 250-0358
Todd Pletcher (trainer, Stopchargingmaria, 1st , Curalina, 3rd and Got Lucky, 10th ) –
“You’re concerned anytime there is an inquiry or an objection, but I felt pretty comfortable
watching the head-on that we were going to be OK.
“The real key was when we made the decision not to run back after the Personal Ensign
and train her up to this. Being able to trainer her in her 2- and 3-year-old years that she runs her
best races sometimes when she’s fresh. I think that was the key, and how she trained here. I
thought her work here on Saturday was exceptional. She’s the kind of filly who when she
breezes like, that she tips herself. I thought that’s what she did in her breeze the other day.
“She’s not in a sale, whether or not she comes back – she’s supposed to – but hopefully
this doesn’t change things.
“Anytime to win a Breeders’ Cup race it’s extra special. I’m really happy for the
connections. It’s their first Breeders’ Cup and they’re very excited.
“I thought Curalina ran amazing. She fought. She snuck through on the inside. For a
moment, I thought we’d might get lucky and have both of them battle it out. I thought she ran a
courageous race to be third.”
Javier Castellano (jockey, Stopchargingmaria, 1st) – “You always get scared when this
happens because it’s such a big race and you don’t want to get taken down, but I did nothing
wrong. My horse ran a great race and I kept a straight path and was keeping the horse straight.”
John Sadler (trainer Stellar Wind, 2nd) – (After race was declared official) “I am thrilled
with our filly. She ran a great race and she showed herself to be the top 3-year-old filly in the
country. I think she is deserving of an Eclipse Award. She really ran an outstanding race. She
had to go so wide. She had a lot of work to do on this kind of tight-turn track. But she really ran
well.”
(Before race was declared official) – “I am very proud of her. She is the best 3-year-old
filly in the country. She beat all the other 3-year-olds. We're really happy. I don't race in this
jurisdiction and I don't really know what the rules are (about interference) but I am hoping for a
reversal.”
(On racing in next year's Distaff at Santa Anita) – “Absolutely. We kind of lightened up
on her campaign this year because we know next year (the Distaff) is right in our own back
yard.”
Victor Espinoza (jockey Stellar Wind, 2nd) – “Turning for home, I was right next to
Javier (on winner Stopchargingmaria). I didn’t want to get bumped. His horse went about six
wide and I had to go with him. I was very close, but I didn’t want to bump her. My filly really
ran great. She showed a lot of fight.”
Joel Rosario (jockey, Curalina, 3rd) – “It was a good trip. She was in a good spot and
traveling beautifully. I waited a little more than I wanted. She ran her race, though, and ran hard I just couldn't get them. They are very good horses.”
David Fawkes (trainer, Sheer Drama, 4th) – “I can’t complain. She got a lot of the worst
of it and still ran a really good race. Joe (Bravo) did a great job. She did everything. I think the
post really hurt her. (She’ll be going) to the farm for a while.”
Vickie Oliver (trainer, Frivolous, 5th) – “She ran super. I have no complaints whatsoever.
She got shuffled back and lost her position down the back, and he got her to the outside and she
came running. Jon said ‘she was flying down the lane – I wish it was a mile and a quarter.’ He
had to get the outrider to pull her up. That’s what happen when you run horses- you don’t always
get the trip.”
Jon Court (jockey, Frivolous, 5th) – “We had a great break and we started picking our
best spots. She was running really well. We found ourselves on the outside and she made a big
run down the lane. I thought I might get fourth but she just missed.”
James Cassidy (trainer, Yahilwa, 6th) – “She got carried a little wide in the first turn.
There was a good pace and she was right there like she always is, but they were going a little bit
too fast. There is always some longshot (that wants to challenge) and she’s not going to let that
happen. She just came up a little empty in the last sixteenth.”
James Graham (jockey, Yahilwa, 6th) – “I thought I had a beautiful trip. I thought she
was fine. She was very happy with herself and I was in a good spot. I went and then they came
and went by me.”
Larry Jones (trainer, I'm a Chatterbox, 8th) – “We just didn’t get a great trip. But, it is
what it is. That's what happens when you have 14 horses and they're a pretty good bunch of 14
horses.”
Florent Geroux (jockey, I’m a Chatterbox, 8th) – Coming from the one-hole, we knew it
would be a little bit challenging. Coming into the first turn, I tried to keep my position and she
clipped (heels) and then she got cut off. Down the lane there wasn't much room and everyone
was trying to keep their position and then that filly Sheer Drama came in right on top of me.
Rough trip. I'm not saying she would have won, but I never got any chance to really run.”
Edgar Prado (jockey, Calamity Kate, 9th)“I broke well. I was able to sit behind the speed
most of the way. I was hoping it would open up and thats exactly what it did. I shot through and
she got a little bit intimidated by the horse (Curalina) next to me.”
Irad Ortiz Jr. (Jockey, Got Lucky, 10th) – “I broke out of there and normally my filly
comes from behind. She made a good run and they ran away from her, but she tried.
John Velazquez (jockey, Peace and War, 12th) – “I thought I had a perfect trip. She
handled the track perfect. She was doing perfect until she had somewhere to go, but she didn’t
go.”
Julien Leparoux (jockey, Salama, 14th) – “Good trip. My filly was coming from behind.
My filly didn't have it and that's it.”
This was Todd Pletcher’s second win of the day to bring his total to nine Breeders’ Cup
victories, which moves him into a tie with Aidan O’Brien and Bill Mott in fourth-place on
the Breeders’ Cup all-time leader list. Javier Castellano has now won six Breeders’ Cup
races.
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