Empire Distaff (NYB) Quotes

December 10, 2019

John Kimmel, winning trainer of Bar of Gold (No. 1): "We always had a question about her distance capabilities. I got to thinking more and more about it; trying to get this filly off the pace and giving her a chance to settle was always what I've been targeting for her."

"In the mornings, she breezes so great if you do that and then in the afternoons some of the riders had been letting her run a bit too quick early. I know our strategy didn't work that great at Presque Isle; she ended up getting squeezed back to last. She made an unbelievable seven-wide move with an impressive kick. Today, I just said to Joel, 'the way we've been working her be patient.' If they out foot her early, that's fine. She'll make a run when she's ready and he did. She certainly showed me if you let her settle, she has no distance limitations."

Joel Rosario, winning jockey aboard Bar of Gold (No. 1): "She looked like she was going easy, I just had to pick my spot. She wanted to be up there. I just wanted to hold my position."

"She loves it; she's very happy in the mud. It was really only her running today. I've been working her in the morning, I know her better, but it's different when you get to race."