JOCKEY QUOTES

JOHN VELAZQUEZ, STRAIGHT NO CHASER, WINNER: “I talked to Dan and he has done a great job to bring the horse back and have him ready to run a race like he did today. He was ready. He was ready from the start. If he breaks good, good, and loose reins, that’s what he likes. He relaxes until somebody gets next to him. The whole thing is he got him ready. I just had to put my hands down and let him do what he needs to do.

“I knew the horse on the outside (#7 For All Mankind) had speed, so I was concerned that he probably wanted to chase me. He broke a little slow and I heard the jock chirp at him to get him closer to me. I didn’t want to worry about it, if he wanted to go faster than me. I just put my hands down and kept the reins loose, keeping him comfortable. Even though he was going this fast, it felt like he wasn’t going that fast. He was just comfortable.”

TRAINER QUOTES

DAN BLACKER, STRAIGHT NO CHASER, WINNER: “They were running. He broke really quick today and when I saw him going into the turn, how easy he was going and we were in the right spot, I felt pretty confident.

“I am really thankful to the opportunity to be with MyRacehorse, they are really great owners. He has a lot of owners but the whole management team, they have been so patient. Let the horse train himself and don’t rush him. We had an eventful year with him with little issues coming up, but they have just been so patient with us and let us give him some time to get right and ready. This is the end result. Johnny Velazquez, he just get along so well. I’m just really thankful to Johnny riding him so well and everyone in MyRacehorse."

NOTES: The winning owner is MyRacehorse.