September 20, 2014 $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (GII) Post Race Quotes for California Chrome by Keith Jones Victor Espinoza, jockey in sixth place finisher and beaten favorite California Chrome (No. 1): The other riders, they worried about me, they didnt worry about the one in the front [winner Bayern], and I knew I was in troubled in the first turn. They were like blocking in front of me, and it was hard to catch the other horse. Sometimes the other ones dont ride to win, they ride to beat horses. But, I really didnt abuse him too much today. I just let him run his race. I didnt want to override him. He had a long time off. This race, it set it up for the next one. I was really desperate and behind, but there was nothing I could do at that point. I mean, to see those fractions, and theyre walking, and I knew I was in trouble as soon as I hit the first turn. The other horses slowed down in front of me, and everybody slowed down. Some things, you cant do much at that point. Hopefully, he can make it in the end, but I noticed in the first turn I was completely up against it. I bounced out of there, and everybody came out of there running. I thought if I go well be smoking in front. So, I just decided to leave him alone and all the speed took back and I got blocked at that point, and then in the first turn they really slowed down. They really, really slowed down in front of me. Sometimes, its a little bit stressful to go in there and make room to pick up the pace. Sometimes, its out of my hands, and well go for the next one. Trainer Art Sherman (California Chrome) I wish he could have gotten him out, the pace was not that fast. You know you hate making excuses but I thought If he could have gone after that horse a little bit earlier and got out from behind but the other horse kept him down on the rail which I really didn’t want, he is a lot more comfortable if you can ease him out it didn’t happen and he hasn’t run in a long time he probably needed the race. Breeders’ Cup bound? Almost sure we will go to the Classic. Signs you will be looking for going forward: Race under his belt, he’ll be a lot stronger and we’ll train him over at Los Alamitos, we’ll bring him home and get him ready for the Breeders’ Cup.”
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 23:40:04 +0000
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