JOCKEY QUOTES

            UMBERTO RISPOLI, OCEAN ROAD, WINNER: “I’m actually pleased because I knew what she did at Keeneland last time (Apr. 15) was not normal. If you watch the race, we went very slow, the first half mile of the race we went in .50 and she turned home for last. I was in that race, and I was outside of the leader so, I was surprised when this filly came by me, I said, ‘Wow, what is this’, and a couple of weeks later Brendan offered me the ride in the Gamely and I said yes, I would take it. I didn’t even know who was going to ride but what she did at Keeneland, I was very pleased with that. I knew I had a lot of horse underneath me.

“It’s very special, Sheikh Fahad (Qatar Racing) always was a big supporter of mine when I was in France and even overseas, a couple of times he came to run in Hong Kong with a couple of horses and I was always pleased to wear his colors.  Before he’s an owner he’s a friend. I’m pretty sure the trainers are pleased to have him as an owner, he never complains he’s a happy guy and I’m so happy to have a Grade I winner for him.

“Coming back and having a Grade I win here at (Santa Anita)..makes me very happy.”

TRAINER QUOTES

            BRENDEN WALSH, OCEAN ROAD, WINNER: “She was very impressive in her first start at Keeneland. We thought she’d need a run and with this race at a mile and one eighth, we thought it would be a good spot to take a shot. She has been doing really well since she ran, and she’s been training really well.  Her works have been better and she’s just grown in confidence.  The guys that came out with her here to Santa Anita have been telling me all week how good she’s been doing, that she’s just blossomed out here. Today, she had a bit of swagger about her.  I knew she was going to run a good race, whether it was going to be good enough or not remained to be seen.

“I think there’s some more improvement in her and I can’t see why she wouldn’t keep going forward.  Umberto had her in a nice spot and he was able to creep in a little closer going to the turn.  There were  a couple nice fillies in this race and we knew we weren’t going to get by them too easy.  She showed a nice kick and it’s always good to see that from a horse coming over here to run in this country.”

            NOTES: The winning owner is Qatar Racing, Ltd.