Quotes from the $150,000 Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3)

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

Joe Sharp (winning trainer of Summer in Saratoga)

On what made him think she would handle the 1½-mile distance of the race

“Just her running style and just her being; she’s very easy to turn on and off. That’s what it takes in these distance races: being able to settle and have that turn of foot. She’s been a filly that’s been really good to us. She’s the definition of a team effort. (Owner) Highlander Training Center did a great job with her over the winter. (Bloodstock agent) Clark Shepherd picked her out. (Owner) Larry Hirsch has had a lot of patience with this filly, and it’s paid off. That was her final start for us. We’re definitely going to miss her. She’s been a special filly to us.”

Corey Lanerie (winning jockey)

On whether he knew he had that much horse underneath him at the three-eighths pole, when announcer Kurt Becker saw him grin

“I did. She was traveling really well throughout the whole race. I asked her for a little bit to check on her and see what I had, and I could tell I had a lot left, so at that point I was just looking for a path and trying to set my way where I could get on through.”

Joel Rosario (rider of runner-up Luck Money)

“I thought we were going to be a little closer. We had to wait a little bit on the backside, but she went on. The other horse (Summer in Saratoga) got the jump on us, but she tried really hard at the end. I thought maybe we would get there (to the lead), but the horse in front had a better trip than I did. She ran very good for second.”
 

Florent Geroux (rider of third-place finisher Micheline)

“I was in the clear and I was right there with the winner, but the winner had a better kick at the end.” 

Jimmy Bell (President and Racing Manager of Godolphin, owner of Micheline)

On her planned retirement after this race

“She has been a lot of fun and a treat for everybody. We will let her settle in and then decide on breeding plans. She will go to our farm (Darley) from here. It is always fun to watch horses progress, and she has been an all-star.”