(The great Enable, as captured by our own Holly M. Smith)

From the Breeders’ Cup Media Team:

Breeders’ Cup Classic:

Winning trainer John Sadler (Accelerate) – “He ran a great race and Joel (Rosario) rode him perfectly. We were really thrilled. He did such a good job, kept him clear.

“We thought that post might be a bonus on the outside. He never got in trouble and never had anything in front of him. He just stayed a little wide and won the race.”

 

Winning jockey Joel Rosario (Accelerate) – “That was about as good as it gets. That horse is simply unbelievable. I’m so happy for the owners and John. It was a great performance. He has so much heart.”

 

Second-place trainer Antonio Sano (Gunnevera) – “I’m so happy for this horse. He ran second and had lost a couple lengths at the start. They sandwiched my horse. Every time we are closer and closer to winning a Grade 1. He’s going to race in 2019 and will point to the Pegasus.”

 

Second-place jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. (Gunnevera) – “I had a good trip. I never had to check. I just got beat by a nice horse. My horse ran huge.”

 

Third-place trainer Saeed bin Suroor (Thunder Snow)  – “He’s run a really big race. I’m very pleased with that. The winner is a very good horse. This race is special as it brings together the best horses in the world. We have better horses this year and we’ve had a better season. He could go to the Dubai World Cup again.”

 

Third-place jockey Christophe Soumillon (Thunder Snow) – “Great job. I was trying to stay in behind Ryan Moore and he ran on really well. It was a great ride.”

 

Fourth-place trainer Bill Mott (Yoshida) – “I thought he ran his butt of and ran a super race. The plan is, right now, to keep him in training (in 2019).”

 

Fourth-place jockey Jose Ortiz (Yoshida) — “I didn’t want to be as far back early as I was but I felt in the first quarter of a mile that they were running away from me. I felt like they were going very fast and I didn’t want to rush him too early. I saw Gunnevera inside of me and I used him as a target and he took me to the three-eighths pole. I thought I was going to win the race when I was in the clear at the quarter pole but then I saw Gunnevera came back and beat me. It took him a while to get going but when he did, he got rolling.”

 

Trainer Aiden O’Brien (Mendelssohn, fifth) – “He ran a great race so we’re delighted with him. We did our best, but weren’t quite good enough.”

 

Trainer Tom Amoss (Lone Sailor, sixth) – “I’m really proud of Lone Sailor’s performance today. He’s just a 3-year-old and that was a big, big effort. I’m very, very excited about his 4-year-old year. We’ll talk to the owner and make some decisions, but that was a big race for a young horse and I think he’s going to be a very good 4-year-old.”

 

Jockey James Graham (Lone Sailor, sixth) — “He needed to break a little better. He gets to be a big baby in there sometimes too. He ran a good race. I was running late, just couldn’t get back to them.”

 

Trainer Bob Baffert (West Coast, seventh & McKenzie, 12th) – “They looked good for about a mile. They just tired and they just didn’t have it today. (McKinzie) is lightly raced and playing catch-up. I thought West Coast would run a little better than that. Accelerate is a good horse and he was the best horse.”

 

Jockey John Velazquez (West Coast, seventh) – “He was in perfect position and right where we thought he was going to be. When Accelarate went by me at the three-eighths pole, I had nothing. He didn’t stop but he didn’t run on.”

 

Trainer Uriah St. Lewis (Discreet Lover, eighth) – “It has been a great experience and I am happy we came.”

 

Jockey Manny Franco (Discreet Lover, eighth) – “I was riding him like he likes to be ridden – near the back. When I came to the half-mile pole, I was looking for something from him and he didn’t do anything.”

 

Mario Gutierrez (Pavel, 10th) – “He was looking good most of the race. At the quarter pole, the two Baffert horses just started stopping. I had to check big time and lost all my momentum. Until then the horse was with me all the way.”

 

Trainer Chad Summers (Mind Your Biscuits, 11th) – “It was not our day. Congrats to Joel, John Sadler and Accelerate.”


Jockey Tyler Gaffalione (Mind Your Biscuits, 11th) – “He had good position, but he had trouble getting his feet under him and he never picked it up.”

 

Jockey Mike Smith (McKenzie, 12th) – “I’m at a loss for words. I don’t know what happened. I was in great position, but when it came time to go, he wouldn’t go.”

 

Trainer Jonathan Thomas (Catholic Boy, 13th) – “It looks like we got eliminated at the start.”

 

Jockey Javier Castellano (Catholic Boy, 13th) – “I’m very disappointed. The break cost us the race and then we had to fight to get through. Down the backside, he just gave up.”

 

Jockey Oisin Murphy (Roaring Lion, 14th) – “He’s absolutely fine. The early part of the race didn’t quite work out for him and we were on the backfoot from then on. He now deserves a nice break before embarking on hopefully what will be a great stallion career.”

Breeders’ Cup Turf Classic:

Winning trainer John Gosden (Enable) – “She was wonderful. I thought coming into the straight when Ryan (Moore) came up on her, we had a race on our hands. She’s had a hard race and as usual she showed enormous courage to go and win. I’m just delighted for her owner and breeder, Prince Khalid who is such a great supporter of the Breeders’ Cup.”

Winning jockey Frankie Dettori (Enable) – “On the first turn I was trying to get position and then I went right. I went four wide. She was moving well. I knew she was fighting for me. She was strong today.”

 

Second-place trainer Aidan O’Brien (Magical) – “She ran a really good race. I’m very happy.”

 

Third-place trainer Thomas Albertrani (Sadler’s Joy) – “Turning for home I thought we were going to win it, but they just outran him.”

 

Third-place jockey Javier Castellano (Sadler’s Joy) – “I had a perfect trip. It was a good third-place finish. He beat a lot of good horses in the race. Those two horses (Enable and Magical) in front of him were much the best. I’m proud of my horse and the way he did it.”

 

Fourth-place trainer Brad Cox (Arklow) – “He ran well off a short rest. I am proud of him. A solid effort.”

 

Fourth-place jockey Florent Geroux (Arklow) – “I had a good trip. He broke and looked like there was a good pace in front of us. I think he was fighting the track a little. It’s loose on the bottom and there’s not much to grab. He lost position in the last turn, which probably cost us third place.”

 

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. (Robert Bruce, seventh) – “I got a great trip. I followed the winner the whole way. I followed Enable, but unfortunately my horse had no response for me today. Hopefully he comes back good and we move on to win some big Grade 1s in the future. He’s a very good horse.”

Breeders’ Cup Distaff:

Winning trainer Brad Cox (Monomoy Girl) – “She ran the way she was training. She was training like a monster and she ran like a monster. She is a special filly, one of a kind, an unbelievable filly.”

 

Winning jockey Florent Geroux (Monomoy Girl) – “It was a great trip. She was super-sharp. I was able to lay second off Wonder Gadot. I went to the lead past the three-furlong mark and from there she just kept on going all the way to the wire. This is a filly with great tactical speed and she loves to win. She’s just unbelievable.”

 

Second-place trainer Chad Brown (Wow Cat) – “We lost some position early; breaking a step slowly from that post. Then there was a horse inside of us that wouldn’t move over, so Jose (Ortiz, jockey) told me had had to take behind that horse and tuck in, which lost us a valuable couple lengths. From there on out, she was always traveling well; pretty far back, but always traveling well. Jose cut the corner, using good judgment, I thought, on the good part of the racetrack throughout the stretch. She just came up short. I think, at the end of the day, Monomoy Girl showed she’s an outstanding filly and deserving winner. Our filly has shown that she’s continuing to improve. Who knows—maybe with a better post, we would have made it a little closer at the wire. (Q: Next year she stays in training?) — Absolutely.

 

Second-place jockey Jose Ortiz (Wow Cat) – “I think the post position hurt us. I had to drop down to the rail and that probably cost us two or three lengths. We only lost by one (length). She ran her race.”

 

Third-place jockey John Velazquez (Midnight Bisou) – “She was trying to overrun it. She’s trying to get a hold of it and the racetrack comes out from under her. Even when she’s running she’s having a tough time getting a hold of it. As soon as we got to the first turn I knew, she was trying to get a good grip on it. She still ran a good race.”

 

Fourth-place trainer Ignacio Correas IV (Blue Prize) – “We were against a special filly today. We tried to beat her but she beat us fair and square. We are happy with the way our mare ran. If I had to do it over again (with her preparation), I would do exactly the same thing.”

 

Fourth-place jockey Joe Bravo (Blue Prize) – “She felt and warmed up better than last time. Turning for home she still had a lot of fight left in her. She wanted to go get those horses. I’m proud of her.”

 

Jockey Mario Gutierez (Mopotism, fifth) – “She tried real hard all the way, but she just couldn’t catch the leaders.”

 

Jockey Drayden Van Dyke (La Force, eighth) – “She broke a step slow, She tried real hard today. She gave me everything she had, but it wasn’t enough.”

 

Trainer Mark Casse (Wonder Gadot, ninth) – “Wonder Gadot did just what we wanted her to do. Monomoy Girl is a super star.”

 

Jockey Joe Talamo (Vale Dori, 10th) – “We got off to a bad break and she doesn’t like that. We were back too far early and we just couldn’t catch up.”

 

Trainer Bob Baffert (Abel Tasman, second choice, 11th) – “She just quit. She just quit running.Sometimes they do that. I thought she was in a good spot, he (Mike Smith) got aggressive with her, but she just doesn’t want to run anymore it looks like.”

 

Jockey Mike Smith (Abel Tasman, second choice, 11th) – “I wish I knew what was wrong with her. I wish it was something I can tell you so we can fix it.”

Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile:

Winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute (Expert Eye) – “He’s run a great race. Last time at Chantilly, he did not get the rub of the green. I’d like to thank James Savage, who rides him out every day. He’s done a great job with him. I thought down the back straight that Frankie (Dettori) may have just had him two slots behind, but was in control. We love coming to the Breeders’ Cup.  It’s always great coming here.”


Winning jockey Frankie Dettori (Expert Eye) – “I’m thrilled with the win. (Trainer Sir) Michael (Stoute) deserves the credit for the training of the horse. He finished his race off so strongly.”

 

Second-place jockey Drayden Van Dyke (Catapult) – “He broke sharp and put me in a good spot on the first turn. I had a clear trip from there on out. He gave me a good kick on the far turn, passed (Analyze It) late but couldn’t hold off the one on the outside (Expert Eye) in the last couple of jumps.”

 

Third-place trainer Chad Brown (Analyze It) – “He ran really well – he ran super. I thought Irad (Ortiz Jr.) executed a good race. The horse showed a lot of heart down the line. He just kept fighting on and just came up a little short. We’re proud of his effort.”

 

Third-place jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. (Analyze It) – “The horse was training so good. He broke good and he just ran a big race and got third. He ran his heart out. He ran so good and fought the whole way. A horse moved a little early on the backside and it didn’t bother him. He came running. He’s a 3-year-old and we have a great future with him.”

 

Fourth-place trainer Kelly Rubley (Divisidero) –“We have been pointing to this race all year. I am not disappointed; he ran a spectacular race. That is his personality; he tries every time. He has no idea that he was in the Breeders’ Cup. Our big test for this race was (supposed to be the Shadwell Turf Mile on Oct. 6) at Keeneland but he got scratched at the gate. We are very proud of this effort today.”

 

Fourth-place jockey Jevian Toledo (Divisidero) – “I got into good position in the beginning after breaking from the outside. I let him pick it up early to get into position and I was kind of outside, but that’s better for him because he likes it out there. He ran so hard and he likes this track. Today he just ran so hard. I have no complaints. The other horse just came running at the end, so we have no excuse. It feels great to ride in my first Breeders’ Cup race. I’m better with that kind of horse. He always comes running hard and giving percent.”

 

Jockey Jose Ortiz (Oscar Performance, beaten favorite, 14th) – “He completely missed the break. He’s been breaking a step slow lately, but not as bad as today. Today, he almost stood there after the gate opened. Game over after that.”

Breeders’ Cup Sprint:

Winning trainer Peter Miller (Roy H) – “He’s really training good and doing good. I just can’t say enough about this horse. Paco Lopez gave him a great ride. Just unbelievable. I can’t believe it. Too good to be true.”

 

On the repeat win by Roy H in the Sprint. “Words don’t express how special this is – to win the same race with the same horse back to back. It’s just fantastic.”

 

Winning jockey Paco Lopez (Roy H) – “I loved my position early. I let him go a little early and he started a big move. I knew they were going fast up front. I just had a really good ride from him.”

 

Second-place trainer Ron Moquett (Whitmore) – “It was a good race, fast horses. He did everything I asked him to do. I thought the jock rode him great and I am proud. The winner is a fast horse and today was his day.”

 

Second-place jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. (Whitmore) – “My horse settled in the back easily and when I asked him for run on the far turn, he responded nicely. I thought I had a chance to catch the winner in the stretch, but he still ran a good race. I was very happy with his effort.”

 

Third-place trainer Luis Carvajal (Imperial Hint, favorite) – “The horse ran a magnificent race. Before we had a doubt if he liked the track or not. He seemed like he handled it well in the morning. Javier (Castellano) said he was trying, but when he asked him to run, he was spinning wheels. He ran well and I’m proud of him, but it seems like he doesn’t handle Churchill Downs’ track very well.”

 

Third-place jockey Javier Castellano (Imperial Hint, favorite) — “He’s the kind of horse that can go to the lead, but today there was a lot of speed, so I took him off the pace. He didn’t give me his kick today. He ran twice before on this track and didn’t like it. He proved today that he doesn’t like this track.”

 

Fourth-place trainer Dale Romans (Promises Fulfilled) – “Fast race and fast horses. The top five are super horses. (Promises Fulfilled) ran hard, ran his eyeballs out. The fractions weren’t too fast, it is just the others were faster than him at the end. He did everything right. It will be nice to see him next year as a 4-year-old to see what he can do. He has done nothing but improve. He is a sound horse and he is a May foal. He is only going to get bigger and better. He could be sprint champion next year.”

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf:

Winning and third-place trainer Chad Brown (Sistercharlie, A Raving Beauty) – “She’s all class this horse and she knows where the wire is. She showed her heart there in the last stages.”

 

On third-place finisher A Raving Beauty: “She ran terrific. I’m very proud of her. She managed to stay the whole mile and three-eighths. Good filly, that horse.”

 

Winning jockey John Velazquez (Sistercharlie) – “We broke well and got a good position. They kind of bunched up in there to get to the first turn and then everyone started to crowd up because the pace wasn’t very fast. I liked where I was. She relaxed well where I was and was moving well past the wire the first time. From there I just bided my time with her. I followed (Wild Illusion) and she won.”

 

Second-place trainer Charlie Appleby (Wild Illusion) – “I’m delighted with her run. She’s run a fantastic race and has lost nothing in defeat. Coming into the race we felt that Chad’s filly (Sistercharlie) was the one we all had to beat, so full credit to him and his team on their win. Our horse is a consistent Grade 1 performer, but I feel one mile and two furlongs is really her ideal trip. All three of mine have performed this weekend, so I’m delighted with how everything has gone.”

 

Second-place jockey William Buick (Wild Illusion) – “The winner showed a really good turn of foot. I thought when I hit the front, I’d be able to open up a decent lead. I’m delighted with the filly. She ran really well and ran up to her standard.”

 

Third-place jockey Javier Castellano (A Raving Beauty) – “I am very proud of her. We set a slow pace as we galloped along on the lead. I was surprised no one put any pressure on me. I rode the filly the way I was hoping for today. Those were two good horses that beat me but I am very proud of my filly.”

 

Sixth-place jockey Frankie Dettori (Eziyra) – “On the last bend (third turn), I asked her to quicken and it was probably the first time in her life she’s been asked to do that (on a turn). I lost her right there.”

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile:

Winning trainer Michael McCarthy (City of Light) – “I can’t tell you how long I have been waiting for this. I always thought this would be a mismatch. I have been looking forward to this for quite a long time. I thought he would love this racetrack. Backing up to one turn where his best races were, I thought he would run away and hide and he did just that.


“It feels great. I’ve been part of a lot of these with Todd Pletcher, so it’s great to have one of my own. It means a lot to me. I wish my father in law was here to see it because we spent a lot of nights talking about this horse. We loved the post, Javier (Castellano) rode a great race and it was no secret that we were going to run away from there. At the three-eighths, I knew it was over.”

 

Winning jockey Javier Castellano (City of Light) – “I had a good trip. I let him break out of the gate a little bit with speed. He set the pace, and it worked out great for me today.”

 

(On staying off the rail) “I didn’t want to bury myself on the inside. It gave me the opportunity to get the best part. He’s a very special horse the way he did it today.”

 

 

Second-place trainer Dallas Stewart (Seeking the Soul) – “I thought he ran great and I’m really proud of the horse. He needed a little more ground, that’s all. I’m very happy for Mike McCarthy and his team. We just got outrun today and that’s horse racing. We’ll point toward the Pegasus from here.”

 

Second-place jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. (Seeking the Soul) – “My horse ran a huge race He did everything right. He came with a big run. He just got beat by a horse that ran a super race.”

 

Third-place jockey Luis Contreras (Bravazo) – “I got a perfect trip. At the three-eighths pole, I tapped him on the shoulder to get him going. He likes to run on the outside so I kept in the clear. I thought I might have a chance (at the winner) but he just got away from us.”

 

Six-place jockey Drayden Van Dyke (Catalina Cruiser, beaten favorite) – “He ran just fine, but he just didn’t run his “A” race. I think that’s about all I can say.”

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint:

Winning trainer Michael McCarthy (City of Light) – “I can’t tell you how long I have been waiting for this. I always thought this would be a mismatch. I have been looking forward to this for quite a long time. I thought he would love this racetrack. Backing up to one turn where his best races were, I thought he would run away and hide and he did just that.


“It feels great. I’ve been part of a lot of these with Todd Pletcher, so it’s great to have one of my own. It means a lot to me. I wish my father in law was here to see it because we spent a lot of nights talking about this horse. We loved the post, Javier (Castellano) rode a great race and it was no secret that we were going to run away from there. At the three-eighths, I knew it was over.”

 

Winning jockey Javier Castellano (City of Light) – “I had a good trip. I let him break out of the gate a little bit with speed. He set the pace, and it worked out great for me today.”

 

(On staying off the rail) “I didn’t want to bury myself on the inside. It gave me the opportunity to get the best part. He’s a very special horse the way he did it today.”

 

 

Second-place trainer Dallas Stewart (Seeking the Soul) – “I thought he ran great and I’m really proud of the horse. He needed a little more ground, that’s all. I’m very happy for Mike McCarthy and his team. We just got outrun today and that’s horse racing. We’ll point toward the Pegasus from here.”

 

Second-place jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. (Seeking the Soul) – “My horse ran a huge race He did everything right. He came with a big run. He just got beat by a horse that ran a super race.”

 

Third-place jockey Luis Contreras (Bravazo) – “I got a perfect trip. At the three-eighths pole, I tapped him on the shoulder to get him going. He likes to run on the outside so I kept in the clear. I thought I might have a chance (at the winner) but he just got away from us.”

 

Six-place jockey Drayden Van Dyke (Catalina Cruiser, beaten favorite) – “He ran just fine, but he just didn’t run his “A” race. I think that’s about all I can say.”

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint:

Winning trainer Mark Casse (Shamrock Rose) – “Was I surprised we won? It was a tough race, but she’s a good horse.I told (jockey) Irad (Ortiz Jr.) I don’t know if she’s good enough, but she’ll give you everything she has. And, she’s good. It goes back to Allen Jerkins who always said ‘run them when they’re good’ so we came back in two weeks.”

 

Winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. (Shamrock Rose) – “I let her be happy. She settled nice for me. She was like fourth and when I dropped in and got through horses, she came running.”

 

Second-place trainer Arnaud Delacour (Chalon) – “She had a great trip and Javier (Castellano) gave her a great ride. The seven-eighths (of a mile) may have been a touch too far, but you can’t take anything away from her. I’m very pleased.”

 

Second-place jockey Javier Castlellano (Chalon) – “It was a great race. I got good position right from the start and we were going good. I thought I had a good chance coming down the stretch but she was just second best. She gave me everything she had and that was really good.”

 

Third-place trainer Richard Mandella (Anonymity) – “She is a little short on experience. We decided to let her settle today and she looked like she was a little bit intimidated by other horses but she came on strong.”

Third-place jockey Flavien Prat (Anonymity) – “We got caught a little wide on the final turn, but I was very happy with the way she ran. She gave it her all down the stretch and we almost got there.”

 

Fourth-place trainer Bob Baffert (Marley’s Freedom, beaten favorite) – “She just didn’t get away like she can. I am pretty disappointed. And she was pretty wide the whole way. She tried but she was just not good enough today. You have to be real good today and she was not real good. She didn’t have her punch today, didn’t run her race. Didn’t bring her A game.”

 Fourth-place jockey Mike Smith (Marley’s Freedom, beaten favorite) – “She was hung out really wide and she just didn’t get a hold of it and kick like she can.”