JOCKEY QUOTES

            JUAN HERNANDEZ, ALICE MARBLE, WINNER: “She broke a little slow, I missed the break and then after that I was behind the speed. There were some guys that were going to the front, so I decided to stay behind them. I was telling Phil on the backside that I had the opportunity to come through and get some position, but I didn’t want to move too soon. I decided to stay over there and wait. I had a rough trip, but I just had to wait a little more. I found the space and I asked her, and she exploded, she was really good.

“It means a lot to me because, I want to do good here. I want to thank the owners and the trainers for giving me the opportunity to ride these nice horses. I really appreciate it. I’m really happy and hopefully we can get more winners.”

            JOE BRAVO, SASSYSERB, SECOND: “She ran great, and it sucks to run second!”

TRAINER QUOTES

          PHIL D’AMATO, ALICE MARBLE, WINNER: “That was as close to a heart attack as I have come (response to Alice Marble’s position on the turn).  I was hoping we’d just get second when we fell back.  Juan (Hernandez) got the job done and I’m just thrilled that he got his fifth of the day for me.”

OWNER QUOTES

         NICK ALEXANDER, ALICE MARBLE, WINNER: “I won’t say that I lost faith in Juan, I knew he had a plan. It did look like she was being eased for awhile and he waited. He was so patient, he found the right hole and man she exploded.

“We found out she could do two turns. Phil said she could, I said she couldn’t, obviously he’s right.

“We (Juan) started out together at Golden Gate about ten years ago, he looked like he was about twelve years old riding. We just felt hot. He was always in the right place in the race with the horse. He is a brilliant rider and I’m so glad that he came down here. We have been so lucky to have him, today twice and hopefully for the future.”

            NOTES: The winning owner/breeder is Nick Alexander.