Quotes from the $400,000 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3)

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

Irad Ortiz Jr. (winning rider of Sy Dog)

“My horse was traveling perfect the whole race. At the three-eighths pole, I thought it was time to pick it up. I had the 4 horse (Grand Sonata) on the inside of me looking for some room, and I knew Tyler (Gaffalione, aboard Grand Sonata) had a lot of horse, so I decided to move a little early, take him out and go from there. He did everything I asked for. He was ready. (Trainer) Graham Motion did a great job and I thank the owner (Head of Plains Partners) and trainer for the opportunity.”

Alice Clapham (assistant to winning trainer Graham Motion)

“Graham had said he has been training really well at Fair Hill (Training Center in Maryland) and he had done everything right up to this point. They had been aiming at this race for a while, and it all worked out very well.”

Tyler Gaffalione (rider of runner-up Grand Sonata)

“The trip didn’t really go to plan. We knew there wasn’t going to be a lot of speed, but we were hoping to get a little more forwardly placed. We just didn’t jump the greatest. It was a slow trip and we got a little bit boxed in, but he finished well and he pulled up good so we’ll live to fight another day.”
 

Luis Saez (rider of third-place finisher Coinage)

“He broke pretty sharp. He was right there, and we were in a great spot. He never gave up, and he was trying hard – we just got beat. I didn’t see much speed in the race. I expected to be a little bit behind, but everybody took a hold so the pace was slow.”