(Born Great — winning the KY Downs Preview Turf Sprint at Ellis Park / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

From the Ellis Park Media Team / Jennie Rees:

Jockey Quotes:

Adam Beschizza — Born Great (1st):

“Most of the horses I’ve been riding early on in the day have all been speed close to the lead types of horses. As fast as the turf is playing, it’s not really paying off. Horses are coming from behind and reaping the reward from the fast pace up front. Kentucky Downs really suits him. Ideally, I think his best trip is probably 3/4s. At 5 and a half, if he’s got a decent pace in front of him, he usually can reel them back in within reason.

“It was pretty faultless as far as his trip was concerned. That’s the way it likes it, with a good pace in front of him and to reel them in. We know he stays 3/4s and we know he would be closing strong in the end. Ideally, at 5 and half he does need a strong gallop in front of him in order to get the best out of him. He did it pretty comfortably in the end. It’s perfect that his beloved KY Downs is just around the corner and obviously he’s going to get the course and distance there. Thanks to Marc Detampel, Brendan and Paul here for having him in good shape coming into this race and I don’t think he’s done yet this summer.

James Graham — Siem Riep (2nd):

Second for third time in Preview race, first two in the 2018 and 2019 Mile – all with Graham aboard.

“We got a little bit shuffled back on the turn, but when you don’t have that sprinter speed early, it’s kind of tough to hold your position. But he made a good account for him today. He’s a cool little horse, and he tries. I ran after Born Great. He got to save ground around the turn. He took my spot going into the turn, so I had to go around. But I can’t say anything. My horse was looking for a little bit more ground anyway. But he finished the right way.”

Trainer Quotes:

Paul Madden (Assistant to Brendan Walsh) — Born Great (1st):

Born Great, who last year won a maiden and allowance race at Kentucky Downs in one week:

Did Born Great probably needed to win this race to be guaranteed a spot in the $1 million FanDuel Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs?

“For sure. obviously it’s a big deal for him to win, but most importantly for him to qualify for Kentucky Downs, which is huge. A place where he was 2 for 2 last year. But he’s a really neat horse. He always gives 100 percent. Had a little time off after Fair Grounds was second at Churchill not that long ago, but just lacked a little sharpness. Brendan was here on Wednesday and was thrilled with him and knew he was sitting on a big race. So we weren’t surprised how he ran to be honest.”

“He won going 5 1/2 at Fair Grounds, but obviously with a little lesser opposition. But he’s not a slow horse. What was great for us today is that they went fast up front and it did suit closers. He’s pretty good, a good one to have in the barn. And going to Kentucky Downs with all that money, it’s a big deal. He’s a horse that obviously Brendan places very well, and Marc Detampel and Fergus Galvin have a lot to do with him.”

It was a very deep field, don’t you think?

“It was a deep field. Some of them he’s run against already. We kind of felt how he was doing this week, how he looked and everything that we’d be surprised if he didn’t run well. We knew he was sitting on a good race, and he showed it today. It’s great going forward to Kentucky Downs. Timing-wise, it’s perfect.”

Barn has done well in Preview series, with Kallio, Into Mystic winning in past, right?

“It’s been lucky. We’re stabled here. I’m here for the summer. The track is great here and horses do well here. So we’re happy to be here.”