Friday, October 9, 2009
$500,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1)
Rajiv Maragh (rider of winner Negligee):
“Once she got the lead in the stretch, she pulled away pretty convincingly.”
On whether he thought the filly could run longer distances
“It seems she always closes up in her races sprinting, but you never know when they go longer. She didn’t break as fast like a true sprinter, so that was good. She kind of relaxed and got behind horses and was pretty much settled behind horses so it made her finish better.”
John Terranova II (trainer of winner Negligee):
On purchasing the filly after her first two starts, both at Woodbine
“She impressed us up in Canada. We (Terranova for owners Paul Pompa Jr., Stephen Yarbrough and Anthony Grey) had a filly (winner Franny Freud) in the race (Ontario Debutante Stakes). She (Negligee) finished second and was very impressive in her second start. Sovereign Stable subsequently purchased her. We brought her down (to the United States); she’s trained real forward since. We actually scratched out of the (Grade 3, $100,000) Miss Grillo (Breeders’ Cup on October 4) because everything came off the grass. This (Darley Alcibiades) was our second choice, our backup plan.”
On racing on Polytrack
“She took to it in Canada. We knew the surface wasn’t going to be a question, just the two turns. But she trained really well.”
On thinking about the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1)
“Absolutely.”
Garrett Gomez (rider of second-place finisher She Be Wild):
“She ran really well. I was closer than I wanted to be, but the pace wasn’t all that enthusiastic. I also had a hard time getting her to settle. She would come off the bridle and then pick it back up. Turning for home, I had plenty of horse. She just got outrun. I think she’ll be better in her next race. I think she’ll settle more if we can get some cover for her.”
Miguel Mena (rider of third-place finisher Amen Hallelujah):
“It was her first time going long. She broke sharp, and we were in a good spot. We were going pretty slow, and I thought I looked good turning for home, but she just, I think, she got a little tired the first time going long, but she never quit, just a little short for the distance.”
Jeremy Rose (rider of fourth-place finisher Zilva):
“She ran her tail off. I had a pretty good trip; I just wish I could have gotten off the rail a little more, but we did what we could. I was in behind the winner.”
Graham Motion (trainer of fourth-place finisher Zilva):
“That was just bad luck, getting beat that much (holding his fingers a couple inches apart) probably cost us getting in the Breeders’ Cup because I think third might get in. I thought she ran a big race.”
Kent Desormeaux (rider of fifth-finisher Beautician):
“I was in trouble the whole way. In fact, the winner was one of the ones that had me pinned in. When I finally got her (Beautician) out, she took off a lot, but by that time it was too late. I was eight lengths back in the stretch when she finally got a chance to run. I hope she still goes to the Breeders' Cup because she deserves it.”