Saturday, October 10, 2009

 

$500,000 Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity (G1)

 

 

Willie Martinez (rider of winner Noble’s Promise)

“I’d like to thank the owners and (trainer) Kenny (McPeek) for giving me the opportunity. Kenny was very much up front with me (saying), ‘You can get the mount here.’ I always believed in this colt, the minute I won on him at Presque Isle. I knew he was a fast horse; always the question was the distance. Kenny said, ‘Ride your race, let him settle.’ I really believe in this horse. He has a good mind on him. I believe he can carry on.”

 

Ken McPeek (trainer of Noble’s Promise)

“Willie sat on him perfect. We were a little worried about the race unfolding and him going too fast early. I just told (Willie), ‘Just be patient. If you take him back and he gets beat, I’ll take the heat.’ He rode him to a ‘T.’ The horse is fast.”

 

On whether Noble’s Promise will advance to the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1):

“Yeah, absolutely. You’ve gotta give him a chance.”

 

Cot Campbell of Dogwood Stable (owner of second-place finisher Aikenite)

“I thought it was terrific. We’ll have to look at going to California. He did it all right. He lost a little ground in the process but was very professional in a gigantic field. We were thrilled with him. Coming out of the Hopeful (G1 at Saratoga on September 7 where he finished third) he acted like he wanted a mile and a sixteenth or more and he sure proved it today. We would have liked to have gotten it all but he didn’t get beat but a neck. I think we definitely have to take him to California.”

 

Alan Garcia (rider of second-place finisher Aikenite)
“He did everything right. He broke good. Just did everything right. If he had a little more distance, he would have won. He’s a nice horse. I think he has a big chance in the Breeders' Cup.”

Robby Albarado (rider of eighth-place finisher and beaten co- favorite finisher Backtalk)
“I think he handled his first try at two turns well. He was always in a great position and I was happy with where I was. When I asked him to run, he gave me some, but it wasn’t enough.  I don’t know where he’ll run next, that’s up to (trainer) Tom (Amoss), but hopefully I'll be back aboard.”

Joe Bravo (rider of third-place finisher Roman Invasion)

“I was in the six-path turning for home and in the first and second turns, but I’m not going to use that as an excuse. I am so proud that he showed the talent that he has and he has been showing us all along and now he had a chance to show everybody.”

 

Kelly Breen (trainer of Roman Invasion)

“I’m very excited about this horse. I thought he belonged and I’m glad that he validated coming here. I wish that I hadn’t had to run him back 12 days after breaking his maiden. He overcame a lot to get here and ran a very good race.”

 

Tyler Baze (rider of fourth-place finisher Make Music for Me)

“I had a pretty good trip. He’s green still and still learning to run. He’s going to be a major horse for the three-year-old season. I was sitting behind (favorite Balktalk) around the turn and when I wanted to go around him. When the hole finally opened, everybody had already gotten to kick away from me. He ran a good race and I look forward to the Kentucky Derby next year.”