JOCKEY QUOTES

            JOHN VELAZQUEZ, MEDINA SPIRIT, WINNER: “I made sure I talked to Bob first, basically I wanted the permission to do what I want. Bob said, ‘It’s your job, you do what you need to do.’ I was more aware of the two horses inside. Prat’s horse had a lot of speed for a mile and a quarter. I said, ‘I’m going to come out running, I’m going to commit to the lead at the first turn. If he wants to go, he needs to be faster than me.’ He broke well enough for me to get my position where I wanted to go, and once we got to the first turn he threw his ears up, and I knew he was going into a nice rhythm. From then on I felt really comfortable with him.

“I keep saying and I probably sound like a broken record, but this guy he has a lot of heart. That’s all he has. He’s very competitive and when the horses come to him, he gives you everything he can. That’s all you can ask of a horse. He’s not very big, he’s not very beautiful but obviously he’s all heart and you can’t ask for anything else. He’s danced with all the good horses and coming into today and doing it again we got to give it to him.

“It’s the knack of the horse, they don’t give him much credit, he’s running with all the good horses and keeps showing up and running these kinds of races. The way he ran today, that was impressive, maybe they will give him the credit he deserves now.”

TRAINER QUOTES

          BOB BAFFERT, MEDINA SPIRIT, WINNER: “That was impressive.  He didn’t even get tired.  Pretty awesome.  He handled it well.  The further the better.  He showed up.  He loves it here and at Del Mar.  I’m very proud of him.  This is the time of year the three-year-olds catch up to the older horses.  I’m happy for Zedan and what we have had to deal with.  We stayed focused on the horses.  The fans came out to see this horse and they are rooting for him.  I could tell by the crowd noise.  They are all pulling for him. It’s an emotional win for us.  Johnny V. can do whatever with the horse.  He can wait, stalk, whatever.  This horse keeps getting better and better.”

PRIVATE CLOCKER GARY YOUNG, WHO SELECTED MEDINA SPIRIT OUT OF A 2-YEAR-OLD IN TRAINING SALE LAST YEAR, WHEN ASKED IF HE SAW A PERFORMANCE LIKE THIS COMING: “When I saw 47 and three at the half mile pole, I said ‘I’ll take my chances!’  Seriously, I’ve learned with this horse that he’s incredibly smart.  He doesn’t go all-out in the morning, but in the afternoon, he’s here to beat you.  When he’s in front turning for home and his ears are up with Johnny V., that’s a pretty good position to be in.”

NOTES: The winning owners are Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.