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130th Kentucky Oaks Jockey Quotes
JOHN VELAZQUEZ (Jockey of Ashado, winner) - "That was beautiful, I
couldn't have asked for a better trip. I was closing the way I thought
I would. Madcap Escapade wasn't going to get away from us. I wasn't
afraid of her at all. We were at a good striking distance. My filly
responded to everything I asked for. And she runs on anything.
"I've always loved her. She was a little late last time; I
didn't ride her in her last two, though. These people [trainer Todd
Pletcher and owner Starlight Stables] have been so good to me, so loyal,
I'm thankfulto be back on her."
TERRY THOMPSON (Jockey of Island Sand, second) - "My filly kept running
all the way to the wire, but the one (Ashado) felt us coming and picked
it up again. Larry and I talked and we knew our filly had the speed to
go with these horses, but we also knew that we might not have enough at
the end. We decided to take her back and it set up just like we thought
it would. We had a clean trip and I was able to save ground along the
rail. At the eighth pole I really thought we were going to get there,
but the winner just kept going. It's a real honor to be part of a race
like this. I'm thrilled."
JERRY BAILEY (Jockey of Madcap Escapade, third) - "She broke running and
she felt comfortable all the way. The fractions were quick, but not
ridiculously fast. She ran as hard as she could. I don't think she wants
to go this far against this kind."
PAT DAY (Jockey of Victory U. S. A., fourth) - "We started the race as
we planned. I mean it would have been suicide to run early (with Madcap
Escapade), and we knew that with her in the race they weren't going to
be walking. With the fast pace that she set, I thought we might have a
chance, and when I asked my filly for her run, she made a nice move but
was a little flat coming home. She gave me a game effort and she
finished ahead of a lot of nice fillies."
VICTOR ESPINOZA (Jockey of Hollywood Story, fifth) - "She was running
good into the first turn and I thought I was in good shape. I started to
move up and on the turn I thought I was going to be right there. But the
last sixteenth she really struggled. This track is heavy and it was hard
on her. She just didn't have anything left the last part to give me."
MIKE SMITH (Jockey of A. P. Adventure, sixth place) - "She was having so
much trouble with the track. She was bobbling out there. She kind of
did that with her work. She kept fighting it. Every time I turned her
loose, she just didn't grab a hold of the track.
ROBBY ALBARADO (jockey of Stellar Jayne, seventh) - "We had a great
trip. I just didn't have enough horse."
SHANE SELLERS (jockey of House of Fortune, eighth) - "She faded back.
She fought the racetrack really bad. I knew I was in trouble in the
first turn. I know she is a better filly than that. She had her head in
my face going into the turn and she did not want to get on the inside."
EDGAR PRADO (Jockey of Last Song, ninth) - "It had to be the track. She
broke good, and normally she tries very hard, but on the first turn I
knew I was out of it. I think she just didn't like the track at all."
DAVID FLORES (Jockey of Silent Sighs, 10th) - "I had a good trip, but
she didn't handle the track, not at all. That's all. It is a short
story."
COREY NAKATANI (jockey of Class Above, 11th) - "She just didn't have it
today. We were in a good spot early, but I had to keep asking her to
keep up. She's such a big filly that I don't think she handled the off
going today. That's all I can think of."
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