SAN LUIS REY HANDICAP QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

RAFAEL BEJARANO, BOURBON BAY, Winner: “At the break I had to use a little bit of him to make sure I got the break right and get the perfect position at the first turn. When I saw the 9 (Quasicobra) get sent to the lead I knew it was better for me. I thought the 5 (Sudden War) would go to the lead but I guess he broke a little slow. I felt a little pressure from the horse next to me on the inside, but my horse was relaxed. We were going a little faster than the last time but I still had a lot of horse at the end. After the second turn I could see my horse was getting comfortable and I knew I had a chance to win the race. He made a move at the three-eighths and passed everybody. This horse is getting through every time he runs, and he is getting better every time he runs. I’m so happy he won again.”

TRAINER QUOTES

NEIL DRYSDALE, BOURBAN BAY, WINNER: Asked if there was any concern going to the lead on the far turn: “Well, I think he had to, because otherwise, they were going to come at him. He had no option. I think he’s getting the hang of it. Would you say that’s an improvement over his last race? I thought he settled better today than he did the other day (in the San Luis Obispo Handicap on Feb. 21).”
Asked about running a mile and three-quarters in the San Juan Capistrano Handicap, $150,000, Grade II, on closing day, April 18): “I think that’s within his scope, the way he ran today.”

NOTES: This is the fourth San Luis Rey win for Drysdale. Previous winners were Prized (1990), Single Empire (1999) and Fourty Niners Son (2007). The winning owners are David and Jill Heerensberger of Bellevue, Washington.

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