$100,000 FRAN'S VALENTINE STAKES QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

MARIO GUTIERREZ, STAY AND SCAM, WINNER: “We figured we needed to use Stay and Scam coming out of the gate because we were in the 11 post. I didn't want to cut wide on the first turn. After that, as soon as I got my position on the front end, I decided to save as much as I could for the end. I don't think she's a natural filly that likes the mile, so I had to reserve her energy as much as possible for the end, and thank goodness it worked out. The final stretch didn't feel too comfortable because she was slowing down towards the wire, but it was good enough for us today."

TRAINER QUOTES

DOUG O’NEILL, STAY AND SCAM, WINNER: “I have to thank Paul and Zilla Reddam for breeding her and Carlos and Casey down at OBR who got her ready for us. She is such an honest filly. And really credit Paul Reddam  who said, ‘Let’s just try to stretch her out’. All of us in our little inner circle thought maybe only one turn was kind of where she wanted to be, but she has proven us wrong.

“Sometimes they will trick you when they run a distance after thinking they would be better for one-turn races. I have no concern with her on distance.  They say pace makes the race on the grass.  The last time she ran, she got in behind horses and ended up third.  Today it was a different story.

“We were just talking a little bit about Mel Stute and Fran’s Valentine. The great run that she had and how great Mel Stute was and the whole family. So, it is cool to win this.

“If she would have gotten a really easy lead by herself that would have been perfect but, Mario did such a great job. Kyle’s filly (Sneaker) broke great, and she went out with it. Mario did a great job of not engaging her early and saving his filly. It was a perfect ride by Mario and a perfect run by Stay and Scam.”

NOTES: The winning owner/breeder is Reddam Racing, LLC.