Quotes from the $750,000 Keeneland Turf Mile (G1)

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

Paolo Lobo (winning trainer of In Love [BRZ])

“I think the big key was we went to Arlington and tried an easier spot, and he won the race, and then we put blinkers on him and he improved a lot, and running the one-turn mile – they are very unfamiliar in South America with that – and I think the horse is improving. You know, Kentucky Downs horses get very fit. And also he loves it here (at Keeneland). Last year he won an allowance very easy here, and I think the giving ground helped him.

“Also I liked a lot Ivar (BRZ). I think he was fighting a lot off the long layoff. I think maybe we are going to have three horses in the Breeders’ Cup.” (The third is Imperador [ARG] for the Turf-G1).

Alex Achard (winning jockey, who scored his fifth stakes win and first Grade 1 victory)

“(Recording my first Grade 1 win) feels great. Especially at Keeneland—I love Keeneland—and it couldn’t be any better. He’s getting older but he’s getting better. He’s like a good wine. Every race he shows up and he’s even better every time.”

John Velazquez (rider of 13th-place finisher and beaten favorite Order of Australia [GB])

“We got a great post position. Going to the first turn we had a great spot, but he didn’t show up. Sometimes you get a good position and you ask them, but there’s nothing.”