(Further Ado romps in Saturday’s G1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland / Photos by Coady Media)
From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:
Eric Gustavson (of Spendthrift Farm, owner of winner Further Ado)
“What a huge blessing for our family and our team, a lot of whom were here. Thank you to (trainer) Brad (Cox) and to (jockey) Irad (Ortiz Jr.) and to Keeneland. We’re just so thankful. The first thing we wish is that the Derby was here at Keeneland, because obviously Further Ado’s got a fondness for this place. So we’re thankful for that, and we’re just excited that he did it and he did it the way he did it. All things being equal and God willing, we’ll go to Churchill in a month and see what happens. Obviously you’re taking all the best of the best a month from now, going up against them, but we’re among them now, and maybe we belong, it seems, where maybe there was a question mark there. But right now we just want to celebrate this one. This is pretty sweet.”
Brad Cox (winning trainer)
“I felt he had moved forward since Tampa (when he finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) March 7), so I expected him to run well. I thought he got a great trip. I want to thank (the owners of) Spendthrift (Farm): Eric and Tammy (Gustavson). We kind of put a plan together with him last fall after he won here, to run him at Churchill and have two races leading up to what we hoped would get him to the (Kentucky) Derby (G1), and it worked out. It’s always nice when a plan works out because most of the time it doesn’t. He’s a good colt, full of quality, athletic, a great mover. I’m just happy to be part of the team.”
On his confidence in Further Ado’s ability to race the 1¼-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby after today’s 11-length win at 1 1/8 miles
“No doubt about it. Obviously he’s able to break and put himself in a race and relax, so I think he’s got a lot of great qualities when it comes to his ability to stay forward, then relax and then push home.”
Irad Ortiz Jr. (winning rider)
“I was looking forward to being forward going into the first turn, and I was able to hold the horse outside of me with a little speed, so that was great. I was happy where I was even though I was a little wide. I was allowed to sit off and have a long hold. My horse came back to me and switched off, so that was great. After we passed the half-mile pole, I put my hands down and he kind of slowed down himself, so I woke him up a little bit and then he started going. I said, ‘All right, I don’t want to be in your way, so do your thing,’ and that was it. He was very impressive the way he does things. He’s a light mover, a really nice horse. I’m just happy to sit on these kind of horses. Thanks to (trainer) Brad Cox and the owner (Spendthrift Farm) for giving me the opportunity.”
Flavien Prat (rider of runner-up Ottinho)
“He had an outside draw and he didn’t have much (race) experience. We just wanted to give him a good experience. He responded very well. I do think he is going to improve race after race.”
Joel Rosario (rider of third-place finisher Talkin)
“Beautiful trip, very nice. For a second I thought we were going to be second. I was happy with him.”
Danny Gargan (trainer of Talkin)
“He ran good — the one hole is a tough place to overcome. The winner, he ran impressive. We’ll reevaluate and figure something out. Probably think more about the Preakness (G1), something like that. Hopefully he comes back good, give him plenty of time for the next one.”
Joe Sharp (trainer of fourth-place finisher Creole Chrome)
“He ended up on the lead even though we had more of an intention of stalking. The speed that was anticipated didn’t go. He re-engaged when that horse (Further Ado) went by him. (Creole Chrome) gave us a good solid run. (This race) might have been a touch too far.Honest effort for sure. This shows he can compete with this kind. Might have to tweak the distance.”
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