BREEDERS' CUP 2011: Quotes From The Draw

If you love soundbites from trainers, you're in luck - there was a ton of them following today's post position draw for the 2011 Breeders' Cup. I'm not sure I've ever hear a trainer or an owner declare after the draw, "well, that's it. There's no way we can win!" Maybe the closest was Bob Baffert after Lookin At Lucky drew the rail in the Derby last year.  But, all in all, it's pretty rare to read about a trainer that doesn't believe his or her horse can overcome whatever draw they are faced with.

With that in mind, here are some quotes following the post position draw (via Breeders' Cup World Championships).

Owner Rick Porter on Havre de Grace drawing post 10 in the Classic:

"I think we're in the perfect spot. A lot will depend on how fast they go up front, but we're happy with it."

Todd Pletcher on the draw of Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty:

"[Uncle Mo] gets away from the gate pretty well. I think he's doing as well as he could possibly be doing. We're really pleased with the way he ran in the Kelso and the way he's trained since. He's settled here well and we're optimistic. It's a tall order. We've come a long way since the beginning of May and we're hoping we can get all the way there. I wasn't surprised he was made the (5-2) favorite. I anticipated him to be in that range somewhere at 3-1 or so.

"Stay Thirsty's doing great. He came out of his (Sunday) work super. He was really sharp this morning and had a great energy level. He's proven at the mile and a quarter, and I think he's a horse that might have a lot to say at the end of it. The post is fine for him."

Charles Dickey on Flat Out:

"We're in the gate, that's all I care about. If I could have chosen I would have probably gone a little further outside, but we're just glad to be in there. It'll be up to (jockey) Alex (Solis). He's just going to have to get him a place and see how the pace develops. It's good. We're in the gate. We get to run."  

Bob Baffert on Game On Dude and Prayer for Relief:

"Game on Dude is a speed horse, so it doesn't really matter where he is. Prayer for Relief, you don't have to use him up coming out of the one hole; he's going to come from off the pace anyway."

Bob Baffert on The Factor drawing the 1-hole in the Dirt Mile:

"One of the reasons I put (The Factor) in the Mile was just in case he drew the one. In the Sprint, it would probably be worse for him. He's not going to rate or anything. (Jockey) Martin (Garcia) will just put him on the lead and see how far he takes him.

Bob Baffert on Irish Gypsy drawing the 1-hole in the F&M Sprint:

"Irish Gypsy, of all of them, the post will probably hurt her the most. She likes to come from off of it a little bit, but from the one hole she's going to have to be used. Of all of them she probably drew the worst because I think she's better if she just stays off of it a little. But at least all these horses breaking from the one will be easy to watch; I don't have to bring my binoculars, I'll just watch the rail." 

Bret Calhoun on Chamberlain Bridge, who drew post 14 in the Turf Sprint:

"We've gone from one extreme to another. I wasn't happy when we drew the one last year and it worked out OK. I think the 14 is better than the one."

Steve Asmussen on My Miss Aurelia drawing post 9 in the Juvenile Fillies:

"Great draw, it gives us options."

Regis Barbedette, assistant trainer to Freddy Head, on Goldikova (IRE) drawing in the rail for the Mile:

"That's what we were hoping for, the rail, to cover the least possible ground. I just spoke with Freddy Head on the phone and he was applauding us. I said, `we had nothing to do with it, but thanks anyways.' He was so happy."

[As a side note, I've read several post-draw pieces suggesting the rail was a bad draw for Goldikova; I think it was pretty good as it allows Peslier to cover her up in the early stages, keeping her relaxed until the final move.  Sure, there's a possibility of getting boxed in, but she's got the tactical speed to secure a good position early on. I'd rather be inside than all the way outside.]

Peter Eurton on Weemissfrankie drawing post 11 in the Juvenile Fillies:

"I like the post. We've got speed on the inside and we won't catch a lot of fly-back. There should be a good pace and that will work for us. Our rider, [Rafael] Bejarano, said he was hoping to draw outside."