GRADE I, $500,000, FRANK E. KILROE MILE QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

KAZUSHI KIMURA, GOLD PHOENIX, WINNER : “This horse hadn’t run since the Breeders’ Cup and it’s the first time I’ve ridden him. I just wanted to get a good position at the break and maybe we’ll get lucky and finish second or third. I was sitting right behind Joe Bravo (Cabo Spirit) and at the three-eighths, I was looking for a good position. He was looking around and once we hit the lane, we saw the opening between horses and he exploded. This is my third Grade I win, my first at Santa Anita. I hope to add another one in the next race.”

TRAINER QUOTES

PHILIP D'AMATO, GOLD PHOENIX, WINNER: “This kid (Kazushi) has ridden two horses for me now and both wins. He saved every inch of ground, waited, split horses, and did everything I told him. He’s a horse that’s kind of lazy to switch leads and he got him to switch leads down the stretch and mow em’ down. I think he’s going to be a nice addition to the colony, and I think he will be here next year longer. I can’t say enough about a great ride.

“It definitely set him up for the Charles Whittingham (Apr. 7) here going a mile and a quarter.”

OWNER QUOTES

BILLY KOCH, LITTLE RED FEATHER RACING, GOLD PHOENIX, WINNER: “This horse, ‘GFP’ is what we call him. He showed up today. Phil and his team did an amazing job, and congrats to all the partners, I mean winning a Grade I is special.

“I remember this race when we ran with Singletary and we lost, we got beat a nose by Sweet Return, and I’ve always wanted to win this race for all these people they put so much time, money and effort into the game. It is just an amazing feeling, this is why we do what we do.”

NOTES: The winning owners are Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, LLC and Marsha Naify