JOCKEY QUOTES

            MIKE SMITH, WAR AT SEA, WINNER: “He’s a real talented colt and Ron’s done a great job with him, spacing his races and giving him time.

“He’s a real big horse, but I told Ron, he always seems to have an ace up his sleeve and he hasn’t had to use it yet, so that’s a good thing. He’s on the improve, no question. What’s good about him as well is he’s quick for a big horse. He gets out of the gate good and puts you in a happy spot and after that, it’s just a matter of pointing him in the right direction.”

TRAINER QUOTES

          RONALD ELLIS, WAR AT SEA, WINNER: “It’s been a little while but this horse, I’ve always had a lot of confidence in him, and he’s really put it together last three or four races since we put him on the grass. We are just very excited.

“He just needed a little time to get into himself, he’s kind of a big horse, he’s almost over 1,250 pounds and he’s just kind of coming into his own. The grass seems to have made a big difference. I think he can run on the dirt, but we are gonna leave him on the grass and we are aiming at the Del Mar Derby (Gr. II, Sept. 3, 1 1/8 turf) as our long goal.”

            NOTES: The winning owner is Doubledown Stables, Inc.