2016 Breeders’ Cup World Championships Post Position Draw Quotes

Owner Bert Pilcher (Three Rules, Juvenile, Post 6) – “I love it. We’re in the middle of the gate. We have the speed outside of us. I don’t think we could have a better spot. My heart was racing when they were drawing my horse’s number. This is a real amazing thing. There’s no word to describe how exciting this is.”

 

Rudy Rodriguez (Colorful Charades, Post 1, and Jamyson ‘n Ginger, Post 7, Juvenile Fillies) – “(Post 1) is a tough post, but what can you do. It’s not a perfect world, so we’ve got to make the best of it. Pretty much I’ll let the jockey (Luis Saez) ride his race.

 

(Jamyson ‘n Ginger) looks like she has the perfect spot. She can do what she wants. She’s got one of the best riders in the country (Irad Ortiz Jr.).”

 

Ron Ellis (Masochistic, Sprint, Post 7) – “We're ecstatic with the draw.  I wanted to be drawn outside of the speed.  With both Drefong and Delta Bluesman down inside of us, it gives Mike (Smith) more options."

 

Craig Dollase (Union Strike, Juvenile Fillies, Post 9) – “This was a good draw for us.  Martin (Garcia) should have a chance to see how the race shapes up without having to commit her too early."

 

Kathy Ritvo (Spain Burg, Juvenile Fillies Turf, Post 4) – “We're very happy with the post.  With her style of running, it should put her in good position early."

 

Peter Eurton (Ashleyluvssugar, Turf, Post 5; Champagne Room, Juvenile Fillies, Post 6) – “With Ashleyluvssugar I couldn’t ask for anything better, we asked for post 5 and we got the 5. Is nice to be not on the fence but not out on the parking lot, you know, I couldn’t be happier. With Champagne Room is a dream to get post position 6 in a 12-horse field. Supposedly late to load and I am on the outside instead of being parked inside and we could let her run if she wants to go; which she probably will. She doesn’t like for the rider to take too much hold of her.

 

Sebastian Silva (Kitcat, Filly & Mare Turf, Post 10) – “We are very happy. Our preference was to break from an outside post and we got it. We are very pleased.”

 

Gonzalo Ulloa Perez (jockey) (Kitcat, Filly & Mare Turf, Post 10) – “Is a good post position for her. She will have to adapt to crossing the dirt shortly after the break but we should be OK. The strategy is to settle her comfortably and as long as she is comfortable she will run her race.”

 

Mike Stidham (Zipessa, Filly & Mare Turf, Post 6) – “I couldn’t ask for anything better. She’s pretty quick away from there and with Catch a Glimpse inside, she’ll likely be stalking off of her.”

 

Mike Maker (Da Big Hoss, Turf, Post 2; Al’s Gal, Filly & Mare Turf, Post 5) –  “They drew well. I’m pleased.”

 

Enebish Ganbat (Mongolian Saturday, Turf Sprint, Post 3) – “I feel better outside than inside, but it’s OK.”

 

Dallas Stewart (Tom’s Ready, Dirt Mile, Post 2) – “Good. I don’t see a problem (with the post).”

 

Larry Rivelli (Wellabled, Juvenile Turf, Post 9) –  “It’s perfect. The other speed is outside. We’re going straight to the front.”

 

Steve Asmussen (Gun Runner, Dirt Mile, Post 9; Lookin At Lee, Juvenile, Post 11) — “Neither post would have been my first choice, but Tapizar won the Dirt Mile from the eight and Creator won this year's Belmont from the 13.”

 

Bill Mott (Tourist, Mile, Post 5; Celestine, Turf Sprint, Post 14; Carina Mia, Filly & Mare Sprint, Post 8; Good Samaritan, Juvenile Turf, Post 11) –  “I’m glad to be on the inside half of the field with Tourist. He’s had some wide posts and I think the fact that he’s drawn (in the middle) is good. I’m happy about that. I need to look into the history of (downhill turf sprints) it to see how (post 14 for Celestine) will work. They veer off the right and left and down the hill. I don’t know how much it’ll affect us. I think (Good Samaritan’s post 11 draw in the Juvenile Turf) is OK. He’s not one of those horses who will be up on the front end, vying for contention. He settles well and last time he ran he was trailing early. I see no issue with (Carina Mia’s post 8 draw in the Filly & Mare Sprint).”

 

Mark Casse (Tepin, Mile, Post 8; Classic Empire, Juvenile, Post 5; Catch a Glimpse, Filly & Mare Turf, Post 2; Valadorna, Juvenile Fillies, Post 3; Keep Quiet, Juvenile Turf, Post 2; Victory to Victory, Juvenile Fillies Turf, Post 5; La Coronel, Juvenile Fillies Turf, Post 14) –  “Perfect” (for all except La Coronel. Regarding her outside post in the Juvenile Fillies Turf): “She’s going to need some luck. One thing about her is that she is extremely talented, so if someone can overcome it she can. I’ll let (jockey) Florent (Geroux) play it how he thinks he should. He’s one of the best.”

 

Brian Lynch (Oscar Performance, Juvenile Turf, Post 13) — “I haven’t got a lot of options for him. Tactically, he has some good speed so he can get good position. I’m always convinced he doesn’t need the lead. Whenever you go to California you have to show speed. He should get a nice trip because he has speed. He’s inherited the lead in his last couple, but doesn’t need it.”

 

Mike De Paulo (Noholdingback Bear, Sprint, Post 8) — “I’m glad there’s some speed inside us. I’m not too concerned about the post.”

 

Doug O'Neill (Term of Art, Juvenile, Post 3; Ralis, Turf, Post 1; Gomo, Filly & Mare Sprint, Post 4) —“I look at our draw as a lucky omen for Term of Art since he just broke his maiden from the same post.  He's a big, improving colt.  I think this should set him up for a clean trip.

 

“With Ralis, I love the inside at this distance.  And it's especially important to save as much ground on the turf, even more so than on the main track, because the turns are tighter.  Given this draw, I think he might be more forwardly placed, since they tend to 'walk the dog' early in these races.

 

“For Gomo, this draw should afford her less time standing in the gate while they're loading.  She doesn't have that much early speed, so there should be good separation by mid race.  That will give Mario (Gutierrez) a few more options.

 

“I'm very satisfied where all three of my horses drew.”

 

California Chrome photo courtesy of Cecilia Gustavsson/Horsephotos.com