Longines Kentucky Oaks Jockey Quotes

May 01, 2015

Kerwin Clark, jockey of Lovely Maria, winner – “I’ve been riding for 40 years and I won my first Grade I last month at Keeneland (in the Ashland) with this horse. Then we won this race today. I am very blessed. Blessed to have this horse; to have (trainer) Larry Jones in my life and believing in me, and to have Mr. (Brereton) Jones believe in me and stick with me.”

Robby Albarado, jockey of Shook Up, second – “We had a great trip. We were right where we wanted to be. I was content in my spot behind the first two (Condo Commando and Angela Renee). She’s matured quite a bit. When we turned for home, I thought we had a chance to get there.”

Florent Geroux, jockey of I’m a Chatterbox, third – “She broke a step slow and I was maybe a little farther back than I wanted but, other than that, everything went smooth. I was able to sneak my way through and she finished really hard.”

Victor Espinoza, jockey of Stellar Wind, fourth – “She broke just a bit slow and that was a problem. I tried to stay up with the horse next to me, but we were getting outrun. Then when we went into the first turn and the dirt was flying back, she started jumping up and down. This wasn’t her day.”

Irad Ortiz Jr., jockey of Birdatthewire, fifth – “I got a good trip. My filly ran huge. She didn’t want to lose she just couldn’t do it today.”

John Velazquez, jockey of Angela Renee, sixth – “We were in perfect position. Down the lane the first time she was perfect. The way she was running around there, I was thinking they were going to have to run hard to pass her. But at the quarter pole, she just didn’t fire. It was bizarre.'

Rafael Bejarano, jockey of Oceanwave, seventh – “I think she was intimidated by all the horses. She was uncomfortable out there. When I finally got her out, she started running. But it was too late.”

Rosemary Homeister Jr., jockey of Include Betty, eighth – Unavailable for comment.

Joel Rosario, jockey of Condo Commando, ninth – “She broke well out of the gate and she went like we expected her to and be on the lead for a little while. After passing the half-mile (pole) I had a horse on the outside of me. After we passed the three-eighths she was having a hard time keeping going. I thought she was going to last a little longer. Today was not her day.”

Javier Castellano, jockey of Eskenformoney, 10th – “My horse missed the break a bit out of the gate. I then had no choice but to use my horse early. She did really well, saved ground and finished well but she just couldn’t make it.”

Mike Smith, jockey of Forever Unbridled, 11th – “I thought I had the best trip of all. I just got outrun.”

Junior Alvarado, jockey of Puca, 12th – ““She broke good, but she was wide on the first turn. There was nothing really I could do. I tried to save some ground, but there were horses all over the place. It didn’t work out on the first turn. I don’t think she was handling the track. I don’t think she was comfortable today.” 

Paco Lopez, jockey of Money’soncharlotte, 13th – “I had a good trip. No excuses.'

Gary Stevens, jockey of Sarah Sis, Did not finish – “At the three-sixteenths (pole), she just stuck her feet in the ground. She went from runner to stopper. I had to pull her up. Something got her. But she just walked away OK. I think she’s going to be all right.”