Preakness They Said It

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