Quotes from the $150,000 Buffalo Trace Franklin Country (G3)

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

Mark Casse (winning trainer of Got Stormy, via phone)

“My goodness, I wasn’t sure (if she got there). I called (owner) Gary (Barber) and he was like ‘I think we got beat.’ She got shuffled back pretty good and I was like ‘Oh, Tyler’. And then I kind of got excited because I knew when he wheeled her out she would come running. But that second place horse (Into Mystic) was tough, she hung in there. She didn’t give it up. But what a wonderful mare (Got Stormy) is. Unbelievable.”

On her next race

“Gary and I will talk about it and if the turf course were to be extremely firm (for the Breeders’ Cup) it would be a decision (between the Mile-G1 and the Turf Sprint-G1). It’s all going to depend on weather.”

David Carroll (assistant to Casse)

“She broke just a tad slow. When I saw the fractions, I wasn’t overly concerned. She’s trained beautifully. She’s a champion. When (jockey Tyler Gaffalione) had to go wide around the turn, I was a little bit afraid we might have given away too much ground. What an amazing kick. What a great ride. She found a way to win.”

Tyler Gaffalione (winning rider)

“She didn’t get away the cleanest. I didn’t want to rush her – I thought I’d just let her settle. She was much the best here, so we’ll come with our run. She really finished up nice. She’s got some turn of foot. Whatever we throw at her she keeps delivering. I just feel so privileged to be able to ride her.”

Brendan Walsh (trainer of runner-up Into Mystic)

“We would loved to have won, of course, but she ran great. You can’t ask for more than for her to show up. She got in a little tight on the turn. Maybe if (jockey Joe Talamo) would have had a little smoother trip, it would have made a difference (in the outcome). But that’s racing. She proved today that she is a very, very good filly and that she can run with the best of them.”