Kentucky Derby 140 Post Position Draw Quotes

Apr 30, 2014

Vicar's in Trouble (Post position 1, morning line 30-1)/Harry's Holiday (Post position 2, morning line 50-1)/General a Rod (Post position 8, morning line 15-1) – Mike Maker (trainer) – On Vicar's in Trouble --'I know we didn't have much choice, but I don't have to walk too far to saddle the horses, and maybe our riders will be friendly and give each other enough space. Hopefully, we get a good break out of Vicar like we usually do, and we get a good position pretty early.' On Harry's Holiday – 'Same with Harry.' On General a Rod – 'I couldn't be happier with that draw.'

Uncle Sigh (Post position 3, morning line 30-1) – Gary Contessa (trainer) – 'I'm not unhappy with that. He breaks well. I think he's faster than the horses inside of him. This gives him an opportunity to get position, maybe even get to the rail in the second flight. I love that position.'

Danza (Post position 4, morning line 10-1) We Miss Artie (Post position 7, morning line 50-1)/Vinceremos (Post position 9, morning line 30-1)/Intense Holiday (Post position 16, morning line 12-1) – Todd Pletcher (trainer) – On Danza – 'Good spot for him. He won the Arkansas Derby out of the No. 1 hole. He's fine with being on the inside.' On Intense Holiday – 'We like it. Orb drew the 16 last year and he got it done. The outside gate is hot and it will allow Johnny (Velazquez) an opportunity to get clear and pick a spot. On We Miss Artie – 'Perfect. Just what I was dreaming of.' On Vinceremos – 'That's a good spot for him. We did well with our draw.'

California Chrome (Post position 5, morning line 5-2) – Art Sherman (trainer) – 'I like it fine. Victor (jockey Victor Espinoza) says he likes it. Says he won the Kentucky Derby from the five (on War Emblem in 2002). I'm happy and I feel no pressure.'

Samraat (Post position 6, morning line 15-1) – Rick Violette (trainer) – 'I think it is a terrific spot. I think you just have to try to break clean and go straight and size things up past the wire for the first time. The speed is inside of us and we have tactical speed. I don't think there's a downside to it.'

Wildcat Red (Post position 10, morning line 15-1) – Jose Garoffalo (trainer) – 'We're very happy with the draw. I think it's a very good position. The good thing is that we have two of the tough horses inside of us. We have General a Rod inside of us and California Chrome inside of us. That's a good thing.'

Hoppertunity (Post position 11, morning line 6-1)/Chitu (post position 13, morning line 20-1) – Bob Baffert (trainer) – On Hoppertunity — 'I'm happy with the way the horses are training and that's more important. The only disadvantage is that Hooppertunity is going to have to wait in the gate for a long time, but I'd rather wait in the 11-hole than wait in the one-hole. I think he's second choice because he's gotten the closest to California Chrome this year.' On Chitu — 'You don't know what's going to happen. The speed horses, you don't know who's going to break, who's going to go, what if the pace isn't fast? What if it's a War Emblem pace and they keep going? I think nobody knows We're all assuming a lot of stuff but, this Derby, aside from that California Chrome has proven he's a really good horse, there's a lot of horses in there that are pretty close. There's a lot of parity in this field so that's why we have 20 horses, because everybody might have a chance. He's fast. Martin Garcia thinks he can do it so he's real confident about the horse.'

Dance With Fate (Post position 12, morning line 20-1) – Peter Eurton (trainer) – 'I am thrilled with it. There is a lot of speed to the inside of us rather than outside and that should give us a good chance to pick a spot.'

Medal Count (Post position 14, morning line 20-1) – Dale Romans (trainer) – 'That's a good spot. That's where, last week when we were talking about it, Robby (Albarado) said he'd like to be the last one in the main gate and that's where he is. It doesn't matter because we're going to drop back and make one run. I just want my jock happy and he was happy with it.'

Tapiture (Post position 15, morning line 15-1) – Steve Asmussen (trainer) – 'I think it's ideal for us right now. The way that the draw unfolded, so much speed to the inner 10, it's every chance we've ever wanted.'

Commanding Curve (Post position 17, morning line 50-1) – Dallas Stewart (trainer) – 'It's great for us. All the speed's inside. I didn't think the post position was a major, major factor for us. It's all good. We'll find out. I didn't want the inside. I didn't want the direct outside.'

Candy Boy (Post position 18, morning line 20-1) – John Sadler (trainer) – 'It's OK. I'd rather be outside than in. And I don't put a lot of energy into things I can't control. We'll figure out a strategy and go from there. I think we'll be fine.'

Ride On Curlin (Post position 19, morning line 15-1) – Daniel Dougherty (owner) – 'The way they angle these gates, I told Billy (trainer Billy Gowan), from the last few races, that the winners have been coming from that last gate. And the way it lined up, all the come-from-behind horses are in the second gate more than the first gate. So we can kind of gauge ourselves where we need to be with that group of horses and not worry so much about the front-runners. I didn't want to get stuck in 2 or 3 or 4 with these front-runners. That's not the pack we want to be in.'

Wicked Strong (Post position 20, morning line 8-1) – James Jerkens (trainer) – 'It might be that speed is quick and they get to rolling in a clump and he can draft in behind them and it'll work out OK. The one positive is that he's not in the gate very long. I'm trying to convince myself that it's not a bad post, but I don't know if I can.'

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