Notes & Quotes From G1 Santa Anita Derby: So Happy

JOCKEY QUOTES

MIKE SMITH, SO HAPPY, WINNER: “He kept on going today. I thought he would be better today plus we had a better post position. Today he really felt fit and ready to race. I can’t say enough of what a great and wonderful man Mark Glatt. His family and the owners are wonderful people. The Kentucky Derby is America’s race. Anyone in the world would want to be in that race. “There’s more there in the tank for sure. I’m looking forward to going to Kentucky again.”

JUAN HERNANDEZ, POTENTE, SECOND: “Today he broke beautifully and was in front. He was getting pressure from So Happy, but it was hard for him to keep the pace. He gave me everything he had and was fighting all the way to the end—even when the horse came close to me, he was trying to come back and break. He’s a great horse and he ran a good second.”

TRAINER QUOTES

MARK GLATT, SO HAPPY, WINNER: “It’s pretty hard to describe. We have had an overwhelming amount of support that’s helped us get through this very tough time. (Dena) got that horse there today. I’m just so thankful to the owners for giving me an opportunity. They are big contributors to my stable. They are not really owners, they have become lifelong friends. I just really appreciate their friendship. Since Dena’s passing, they have called me every night, they have flown out here. They have just been tremendous, along with a lot of other people. But they truly are friends and I couldn’t ask for it to happen to better people.
“It’s the Santa Anita Derby, you have to get excited about that.”

BOB BAFFERT, POTENTE, SECOND: “ He ran a good race. He’s getting fitter and getting more experience. He’ll be going to Kentucky.”

BOB BAFFERT, CHEROKEE NATION, SIXTH: “He missed the break. That’s the problem with him. Once he missed the break, it was all over.”

NOTES: The winning owners are Norman Stables LLC and Saints or Sinners.