Jockey Quotes: Longines Kentucky Oaks

December 10, 2019

JOCKEY QUOTES FROM THE 140TH RUNNING OF THE GRADE I LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS

Rosie Napravnik, jockey of Untapable, winner – “I wasn't worried about the post like some people were. We got into a great position. She runs her best when she can get into a great stride and she relaxes so nicely. She has grown up and she is maturing. She is magnificent.

“She shuts off and she relaxes. She kind of gives me the ear twitch like ‘when do you want to go?’ She is absolutely fabulous.

“She came out of the paddock a little hot but she really calmed down when she got on the track and there was a lot more space and less people.

“We went in the gate the first time and took the halter and shank off right before it happened, so she was without that. When we came out, we had to walk around behind and she relaxed more than she was before.

“She stood in the gate perfectly and got out perfectly. She is perfect.

“It is just a great feeling. I am so thankful for Steve (Asmussen) and for the Winchells having me on the filly. They have done such a great job. They take their time with this filly and she is just maturing. She is moving forward all the time and she was perfect today.

“She broke so sharp. She was standing perfect in the gate, she broke sharp, we got the perfect position. She gets into a great stride and she relaxed so nicely, better than you can ask any horse to do, and just showed exactly who she is down the lane.”

Javier Castellano, jockey of My Miss Sophia, second – “I feel very fortunate to have gotten second. I don’t want to take anything away from the winner because she ran a great race. I’m very happy with my filly.”

Joel Rosario, jockey of Rosalind, fourth – “She had a good trip. She started to make a little move, but the horses up front kept on running. She did all right. The winner was very impressive.”

Mike Smith, jockey of Ria Antonia, sixth – “I had her out in a good spot. I was where I wanted to be. I wanted to pounce on her (winner Untapable). But she’s too good. The only thing I did was make her run faster.”

John Velazquez, jockey of Got Lucky, seventh – “I was so far back, I don’t know anything about the race. I only had one horse beat all the way around. She just never got into the race.”

Calvin Borel, jockey of Sugar Shock, eighth – “She broke good. She was doing fine. No excuses. I just don’t believe she can go that far. It wasn’t that fast. (A 47-second half-mile) for these kinds of horses it isn’t really that fast. I don’t think it was that. I just don’t think she can go that far.” Channing Hill, jockey of Aurelia’s Belle, ninth – "I thought she’d like the dirt more looking at her Gulfstream form. She moved nice to the half-mile pole. At the half-mile pole she tossed her head and got to swimming through the dirt.”

Jose Lezcano, jockey of Please Explain, 10th – “She never showed me anything. She made a little move out of the gate but then just didn’t keep up.”

Gary Stevens, jockey of Fashion Plate, 11th – “She was real tight in the gate. When the first filly (Empress of Midway) flipped, she tried to flip. She never has had to stand in the gate that long and she’s used to smaller fields. As soon as the gate opened, my race was over. It was very disappointing.”

Victor Espinoza, jockey of Kiss Moon, 12th – "All the problems started with my horse at the gate. I missed the break, she dropped far back and she didn't have a lot of run. She got nervous in there after everything happened with the 10 (Empress of Midway) and I think that affected her."

Corey Nakatani, jockey of Empress of Midway, (Scratched at the gate) -- "I got in the gate with no warning and she just flipped over. The track vets did the right thing by taking her back to paddock and scratching her and being safe."