Breeders’ Cup World Championships

$2 Million 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup

Juvenile Fillies (G1)

Race Quotes

Contact Notes Team (859) 250-0358

Jerry Hollendorfer (trainer, Songbird, 1st) – “She just got out there and did her thing. She’s a really nice filly and we’re very blessed to have her. I thought she was doing things relatively easy, especially the second quarter when things slowed up a little bit from the first one. We’re looking forward to next year. We don’t have any plans yet, but we will.”

Mike Smith (jockey, Songbird, 1st) – “Once we jumped out the gate, it was just a matter of me staying on, She’s so talented and she gives you so much confidence. I almost felt like yawning as we went along. I don’t mean that in a bragging way. She just gives me that much confidence. I’m really blessed to be a part of this great team.”

Todd Pletcher (trainer, Rachel’s Valentina, 2nd) – “She ran super. Songbird got an uncontested lead and was too tough.”

John Velazquez (jockey, Rachel’s Valentina, 2nd) – “The other horse got away to an easy lead and I didn’t want to be the one who got up there and did the dirty work by going head to head. My filly ran a great race. We’re happy with second.”

Kenny McPeek (trainer, Dothraki Queen, 3rd) – “She got bumped pretty good in the middle of the turn. She gets second if that doesn't happen, but the winner was extremely impressive. Hats off to them. I loved the gallop out. We galloped out in front, and we'll see them in the (Kentucky) Oaks.”

Corey Lanerie (jockey, Dothraki Queen, 3rd) – “I had to tap on the brakes a little on the turn. I really think in my heart she would have been second if that doesn't happen. She's a gutsy little filly. She keeps trying and has a lot of room to grow. She'll go further and probably run up to a mile and a quarter. I love the way she handles herself.”

Javier Castellano (jockey, Nickname, 4th) – “I wouldn’t find too much excuse. I’m happy with the way she ran. I would have liked a better post more to the inside. I give a lot of credit to the winner (Songbird), she ran huge. The filly Rachel’s Valentina ran huge too. Those were the best horses in the race, so it would have been hard to catch up even if they went fast. I would have gotten third but unfortunately my horse was a little wide around the turn.”

The victory was the second for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and 22nd for jockey Mike Smith, who padded his lead as Breeders’ Cup all-time winningest rider.

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