$100,000 CRYSTAL WATER STAKES QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

JUAN HERNANDEZ, KINGS RIVER KNIGHT, WINNER: “I give all the credit to my horse, Kings River Knight, and John Sadler because John brought this horse very sharp and ready to win this race today. Kings River Knight won the race out of the gate because he broke so sharp, two lengths in front of everyone. You don't do that very often. Then, he took an easy lead. That's his style. He loves running the lead, so I just let him go. He was traveling really well throughout the race. I was just waiting for the quarter pole to switch leads. He switched leads, took off again and won the race.”

TRAINER QUOTES

JOHN SADLER, KINGS RIVER KNIGHT, WINNER: “I think the key is we have such a great state bred program and it made sense for him to be here in California. There are all kinds of races for these Cal-breds and he’s a good horse, so he has a nice path forward. He is a good honest horse and a good trainer, he trains well, and eats good. I would like to have 100 like him.

“We ran against The Chosen Vron last year (Sensational Star Stakes Mar. 19) and ran him to a nose. But Juan has won every single time on him.”

OWNERS QUOTES

LEONARD MIRANDA, INTEGRITY THOROUGHBRED RACING, KINGS RIVER KNIGHT, WINNER: “We are so thrilled. He has taken us on such a journey…It’s been a blessing. John’s done a great job and his crew, Juan Leyva, Rene, Alex, they are all a great team. We are just so thankful to be in this position. The horse ran spectacular just like he always does. I heard the term push button, for a horse like this, so it is just a blessing, and they are hard to come by. We are just very thankful.

“We have a Vronsky out of the same mare (Seasontoperfection), so we have a half-brother to him, and he looks good. We will see him in Del Mar.”

NOTES: The winning owner is Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, The Ellwood Johnston Trust and Kenneth Tevelde.