Quotes from the $600,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1)

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

Irad Ortiz Jr. (winning rider of Nest)

“This filly is supposed to go a little longer – we know she wants to go a little longer (distance) – so I wasn’t afraid to move a little early. She was doing it easy, and she responded really well (when I asked). She did great. Thanks to Todd and the owners (Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House) for the opportunity to be on this nice filly.”

Todd Pletcher (winning trainer)

“Irad got her into a good, comfortable rhythm going down the backside, and we didn’t want anyone to get away from us with the short run to the finish line. I knew when he had her revved up she was doing it pretty easily. Then she kicked on down the lane and he wrapped up on her late. So it was everything we could have hoped for. 

“She’s a filly that’s improved all the time. She was able to win her debut going a mile and a sixteenth, which you don’t see many horses do. We’ve always felt like as she matured and the races got longer, she was going to get better. I really liked the way she’s been training since the Suncoast (Stakes-L, at Tampa Bay Downs). She’s just kept getting better and better.”

Corey Lanerie (rider of runner-up Cocktail Moments)

“I was a little wider than I would’ve like to have been. I had her right behind the winner. She just proved she was better than us today. My filly galloped out really well, and we are looking forward to her next race.”

Kenny McPeek (trainer of Cocktail Moments)

“I’m really pleased with her run. She’s a big strong filly, and we thought that she would run well.”

On running in the Kentucky Oaks

“I don’t know. I have to talk to Bill (owner William Shively).”
Florent Geroux (rider of third-place finisher Interstatedaydream)

“She was super sharp. I was expecting her to take the lead. She ran great. She just got a touch tired on me in the last eighth of a mile. I think she had a good run. Hopefully with another race like today she can move on, and we are hoping she can win a graded stakes soon.”

Brad Cox (trainer of Interstatedaydream)

“I was a little shocked that we were on the lead. We were in a good spot, with comfortable fractions and well within herself. The race quickened, but she stayed on. Just no match for the winner. I will talk with (owner) Staton Flurry, but probably we will skip the (Kentucky) Oaks and shop around for a Grade 2 or 3 race. We will have her ready for the Oaks if there are some defections.”