JOCKEY QUOTES

         VICTOR ESPINOZA, EXPRESS TRAIN, WINNER: “It got a little bit complicated out of the gate because I thought the two horses outside of me were going to go and make the pace. Then the one decided to take back, and I already next to them, so that kind of made my decision to go forward and stay there rather than be stuck on the inside. It’s all about the horses too. Express Train he helped me to move with such confidence, at that point that I was not afraid to just let him go. It was one of those things where you have to make a decision and hope for the best. Today it seemed like we did the right combination and it worked.

“I think the last time (San Antonio Stakes Dec. 26, 2021), He won but he was not 100 percent, because he had a little time off in between that race. But now he’s ready to go. I had the opportunity to come and work him a couple times. He was a solid five-eighths both times and I was very happy. John (Shirreffs) was also very happy. He was happy the way he was doing. Coming into this race I was confident but in the race anything can happen. Things got a little complicated, but we resolved them quick.”

TRAINER QUOTES

         JOHN SHIRREFFS, EXPRESS TRAIN, WINNER: How would you compare his win today with the way he won the San Pasqual last year?  “I think this was a little bit more difficult for him.  There was a lot going on early with the fast pace.  He was in the two-hole…Nobody got to relax because Mike’s horse (Smith, aboard American Theorem) came up on the outside and wanted to force the pace, so it was do or die time then.  We’re looking forward to the Big ‘Cap.

“Mr. and Mrs. Searing have been loyal fans and patrons of the sport.  It’s just great to be able to train for them and to have a horse as good as Express Train for them.”

OWNER QUOTES

LEE SEARING, C R K STABLE, EXPRESS TRAIN, WINNER: “He’s a better horse today. He’s obviously a big, good looking, strong horse and you know, John has a way of training horses like this. This is phenomenal, this horse was really ready. The whole month John said, “I think he’s written close to the top of his game.’ So today proved it. This was kind of a watch it again, wild start of the race. Victor did a great job. Victor, the groom, John’s help. They are all the best.”

            WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE SANTA ANITA HANDICAP: “I gotta believe John is not going to tell me until the last week, but then he’ll tell me. I think that’s probably for sure where he’s going. We are going to send Midcourt back east but it’s all good.”

            NOTES: The winning owner is C R K Stable LLC.