Quotes from the $150,000 Bowman Mill

Click here for a replay of the race and the post-race interview with winning connections.

Wesley Ward (winning trainer of Nakatomi)

“It was kind of the surprise of the spring that (over a sloppy track at Keeneland in his first race) he beat Happy Soul, that filly that went on to do so well after that, so I knew he would really like this track. This is his home track. All my horses, when we run here at Keeneland – because we train here year-round – they kind of take it up a notch or two, which he did today. So the whole (ownership) group is really excited and that’s what horse racing is all about.”

On winning his 13^th race of the Fall Meet to tie Brad Cox for leading trainer honors. Ward and Cox both have runners in two races remaining on the card.

“We’re getting serious now. Getting serious.”

Tyler Gaffalione (winning jockey)

“There was a lot of speed on form. He has a tendency to break a little slow, so I figured just let him get his feet under him and take our time.”

On riding at Keeneland, where he is the leading rider of the Fall Meet

“It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve been so blessed. Just happy to be here.”

Brian Hernandez Jr. (rider of third-place finisher Chattalot)

“We were on the lead and I thought we were going to punch on turning for home and they just ran us down late. (The fractions) might have been a little quick for him, but I let him do his thing. (The fast fractions) might have cost him a little bit.”