PREAKNESS THEY SAID IT
MAY 21, 2011
“He ran huge. It’s tough to come that close, but he ran a huge race. I kind
of thought for an instant that he might get there, but I wasn’t sure. It’s kind
of ironic because (trainer) Dale (Romans) led me down to the winner’s circle
after the Derby. They ran quick early. That was fine. I think they just slowed
it down in the middle of the race and that really helped that horse.”
Trainer Graham
Motion following the half-length defeat of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner ANIMAL
KINGDOM (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]) in Saturday’s Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico
“I had my doubts (about catching Shackleford [Forestry]). I felt like (Animal
Kingdom) was coming and coming, but I had a feeling that he wasn’t going to get
there. But he ran huge. I’m thrilled with how he ran. Johnny (Velazquez) said it
was just a different scenario today because he was that far back that he got a
lot of dirt in his face and kind of struggled with it a little bit. He ran a
huge race. I can’t believe what Johnny weaved through the last three-eighths of
a mile. But he was coming and coming. I cannot believe to get that close; I’m
not sure what is better, if we were that close or to be beaten further.”
—Motion on
watching Animal Kingdom come so close to taking the second jewel of the Triple
Crown
“Shoot, we won the Derby and we just got beat in the Preakness. I would love
to win a Triple Crown, as much for me as for everybody else. There is so much
pressure to do that because it would be so good for the game. But it wasn’t
meant to be. The horse ran a great race. He did nothing wrong. I think the horse
ran huge. If it wasn’t for the fact that it was the Triple Crown, you’d be
thrilled that he ran so well.”
—Motion
after a Triple Crown bid slipped away with Animal Kingdom’s second in the
Preakness
“(The Belmont [G1]) definitely will be a possibility, as long as he’s OK. I
heard (owner Team Valor’s) Barry (Irwin) mention it and I think Johnny feels
strongly that it would suit him. We’ll see how he came out of it. He’s got two
really tough races, but if he comes out of this one the way he came out of the
Derby, I don’t know why we wouldn’t take a shot.”
—Motion
about the possibility of Animal Kingdom going on to the June 11 Belmont S. (G1)
“We were just too far back. When I wanted him to go, he got dirt kicked in
his face. So then I had to pull him farther back than I wanted him to be. By the
time I had the chance to go, he was coming, but it was too late. He came out of
the race great.”
—jockey
John Velazquez describing his ride aboard Animal Kingdom
“He ran a good race. He entered into the three-year-old picture a little late
this year. Of course, we hoped to win but he competed well and ended up third.
He’s been playing catch-up all year, and today was a measure of that. We’ll
evaluate and go from here. Hats off to the winner.”
—trainer
Steve Asmussen discussing Preakness third ASTROLOGY (A.P. Indy)
“He got a little cut behind, but not bad. The 22 (seconds)-and-change was
great and then they went in 1:12. They went fast enough early but then they
slowed out. It didn’t work out. He still came with his run, like he always does.
He’s a gallant horse.”
—Hall of Famer
Nick Zito on how Preakness second favorite and fourth-place finisher DIALED IN
(Mineshaft) exited the race
“I thought he ran a creditable race. He loomed up and I kind of got excited,
and then he flattened out down the lane. (Jockey) Ramon (Dominguez) said he
galloped out real strong and he was hard to pull up afterward, so I can’t say it
was the distance so much. He’s still a young horse.”
—conditioner
Todd Pletcher describing his reaction to DANCE CITY’s (City Zip) fifth-place run
in the Preakness
“(Jockey) Rajiv (Maragh) didn’t think he was getting hold of the track today.
He’s been right there every single time, so I was surprised. I’m going to watch
it again, and again and again, then take a look at the horse. He was doing
fabulous.”
—trainer
Kathy Ritvo on MUCHO MACHO MAN (Macho Uno), who suffered just his second
off-the-board placing when sixth in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown
“I thought he tried his best. It looked like he was making a nice move,
putting himself in contention about the half-mile pole. It looked like he was
going to cruise right up to the leaders at one point and then was kind of
spinning his wheels just past the eighth-pole. (Jockey) Robby (Albarado) thought
he ran a good race and he had a lot of horse going into the turn, but maybe the
distance got the best of him today.”
—trainer Tom
Albertrani after KING CONGIE (Badge of Silver) ran seventh in the Preakness
“He took the first turn and saved ground very nice, and it kind of opened up
for me, but the last eighth of a mile he was kind of making a little noise. I
think he’ll do better on the turf. He makes moves like a good turf horse.”
—jockey
Victor Espinoza on a possible surface switch for Preakness eighth MR. COMMONS
(Artie Schiller)
“He’s a good horse. He tries very hard. He didn’t sleep well here and he
wasn’t eating right, but I thought he ran a good race. I saw him make one heck
of a move. I’m pleased with the way he ran.”
—conditioner
Doodnauth Shivmangal following the ninth-place effort of ISN’T HE PERFECT
(Pleasantly Perfect) in the Preakness
“We placed him in this race ambitiously. He ran a decent race and I am
satisfied with his effort.”
—Eddie
Gaudet, who trains Preakness 10th CONCEALED IDENTITY (Smarty Jones)
“I thought I was going to get the money, but it seems like his breathing was
not that great today. Near the three-eighths pole he started to make a little
noise. Unfortunately that ended his day.”
—jockey
Julian Pimentel after NORMAN ASBJORNSON (Real Quiet) finished 11 in the
Preakness
“I’m very disappointed with the outcome. The jockey told me he was trying to
get away from the dirt and it wasn’t working. He was just weaving back and forth
most of the way.”
—trainer Jeff
Bonded on SWAY AWAY’s (Afleet Alex) 12th-place run in the second jewel of the
Triple Crown
“My horse was in a great spot. He was right there. He just quit. He looked
fine coming back. He must be a turf horse. I was very disappointed in him, the
way he ran. He gets off the (Triple Crown) trail here. We’ll try grass with him
next time.”
—horseman
Bob Baffert on the future placement of Preakness penultimate finisher MIDNIGHT
INTERLUDE (War Chant)
“I think (Shackleford) ran a game race. For as hard as he ran in the Derby
and to come back, Dale (Romans) did a fantastic job with him. I’m happy for Dale
because the poor guy ran second last year with First Dude (Stephen Got Even) and
it looked like he had it won. He did a great training job. He’s a good guy. I’m
happy for him.”
—Baffert
offering congratulations to Preakness-winning trainer Dale Romans
“He ran a great race, but I think this confirms that he’s a sprinter.
(Jockey) Cornelio (Velasquez) said seven-eighths or a mile would be stretching
it even.”
—trainer Wesley
Ward after Preakness pacesetter FLASHPOINT (Pomeroy) faded to last on Saturday