(Eclatant impresses in G1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland on Saturday / Photo by Coady Media)
From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:
Barbara Banke (owner of Stonestreet, which bred and owns winner Eclatant)
“I’m so proud (she won) from the one hole. It was awesome. She could not be doing any better. She looked terrific, and (trainer) Brad (Cox) has done a really great job with her. (Jockey) Irad (Ortiz Jr.) managed to get the trip from the one hole and get her there. That was fabulous. She really deserves the Grade 1 (win) and I hope there are more in her future. We thought she got (the head-bob). There was one camera angle that was a little unclear, but even there it looked like she got it. We were walking (to the winner’s circle) when she crossed the wire.”
Brad Cox (winning trainer)
“I want to start by thanking (owner) Stonestreet (Stables) for bringing her back at the age of 4. I didn’t know if she was going to get there. (The finish) was a head-bob, and it went our way. I’m very proud of her, obviously, and glad for her coming back at the age of 4. I thought her run off the (eight-month) layoff was huge at Gulfstream (when she won an allowance race Feb. 15). I thought we’d go to a Grade 2, Grade 3, but (Grade 1) was the right number. The time did her some good since the last win, and she responded big-time today with a great run.”
Irad Ortiz Jr. (winning rider)
“I just tried to follow (trainer Brad Cox’s) instructions to get behind the speed. The filly helped bigtime because she broke sharp. After that I just took my time. I was able to get her out at the three-eighths pole, which I did, and I felt good at that point to go ahead and start working on her, and she got there.”
Tyler Gaffalione (rider of third-place finisher R Disaster)
“The filly tried really hard, very proud of her effort. Went a little bit too quick, but you know, fast fillies are fast.”
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