What They Said: Ky Derby Trainers' Dinner

More stories, quips, and insights from this year's Kentucky Derby Trainers' Dinner held April 28 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Louisville.

Ron Moquett (trainer of Far Right, second in the Arkansas Derby, gr. I)

"A lot of people ask weird questions. They want to know Far Right's theme song. What side does he sleep on and does he sleep on a particular side of the stall? Or, what kind of mood is he in? I had a guy ask me, 'OK there is a 'g' here.' I told him, 'That's for gelding.' Then I told him the 'c' is for colt. 'What's the 'r' for?' he then asked. A guy in the back with the news people said, 'That's for Republican.' "

Jim Cassidy (Ocho Ocho Ocho, third in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, gr. I)

"We're hoping for post position eight. You can't get beat with four eights."

[Regarding Ocho Ocho Ocho's size] He's a small horse with a big heart. I'm sure he'll be next to Dortmund in the gate and I won't see him until the end."

[About the competition] Dortmund, he's a nice horse. The other (American Pharoah) might be the next Seattle Slew."

"I have to tell a story about my 12-year-old, who is disappointed he can't be here. A couple of years ago while having dinner, I told him we were going to Toronto for the Sovereign Awards. He said, 'Oh, do you think you have a shot at winning?' I said, 'I think we have a good shot.' He said, "Yeah, I guess Todd doesn't run much there.' "

Todd Pletcher (Carpe Diem, winner of the Blue Grass Stakes)

"This is a special horse and he's probably overlooked because it is such a strong, deep group, but he's got a near-perfect record."

(Materiality, Besilu Stables Florida Derby, gr. I, winner) "We are obviously asking a lot of him, but we asked a lot of him the second time we ran him, going from a minor stakes to a mile and an eighth grade I stakes. It was the fastest mile and an eighth at Gulfstream Park this winter with his ears pricked. It was a wild performance."

(Itsaknockout, fourth in the Florida Derby, who has a sponsorship related to the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao fight May 2) [Which one in the fight is Itsaknockout?] "I'd say he's Pacquiao."

(Stanford, second in the Louisiana Derby, gr. II) "He needs to step up another notch, but he had a beautiful trip that day, International Star just ran him down. I actually think the breeze he had the other day is the best he's ever had. He seems to love the track. It gives you a little more confidence."

(On Keeneland's new dirt main track) 

Pletcher: "I was super impressed by the surface at Keeneland this spring and it got challenged with all the rain. I have never seen a dirt track drain as well as that one. It is super safe and I thought our horses trained well there."

Casse: "I was not crazy about them taking out the synthetic, but I thought if anyone could put in a good dirt track it would be Keeneland. Let's hope some other places do the same because we need them."

Carla Gaines (trainer of Bolo, third in the Santa Anita Derby, gr. I)

"He's doing very, very well. He's healthy and having a good time here. He just has to face Dortmund again... and others."

Rick Violette Jr. (Upstart, second in the Besilu Stables Florida Derby, gr. I )

"Upstart ran terrific, but Materiality just ran a little bit better. He is a pretty cool horse. He's run fast—deceptively fast over the racetracks in Florida, but he shows up every time. He has not disappointed us yet.

"We were lucky to be here last year with another New York-bred Samraat, but as much as I am a true blue New Yorker, there is nothing like the walkover anywhere else in the world."

Tom Amoss (War Story, third in the Louisiana Derby)

"This is a horse that really likes this racetrack (Churchill Downs) and we come into this race training really well. Anytime you are in a race, as a trainer, is one of the few times you're optimistic. You are typically pessimistic, but going into a race you always believe you can find a way to win. Unfortunately, the horses that are carrying their speed are very good horses, but we are hoping they back up and our horse will be there at the end."

[Amoss is making his fourth start in the Kentucky Derby. His best finish is a fifth with Mylute in 2013] "When they were turning for home, he made a big move and I thought for that split moment he could win. If I could bottle that feeling, I could make a lot of money."

Mike Maker (International Star, winner of the Louisiana Derby)

"The horse is determined to win, just like (owner) Mr. Ramsey. It is a childhood dream to win the Derby. I have been practicing my winning speech since 1976."

George Weaver (Tencendur, second in the TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial)

"When they turned for home (in the Wood Memorial), I thought we were going to win it, then my friend Kiaran snatched victory from me. It was a huge effort. I'm very proud to have been in Wayne's barn and Todd's barn, a great learning experience. Now to be here, having grown up in Louisville, is a dream come true. My mom and dad took me to the Derby for the first time in 1980 when Genuine Risk won. The importance of this race is pretty deep in my soul."

Kiaran McLaughlin (Frosted, winner of the Wood Memorial)

"We changed everything but the owner and the trainer and it all worked out on that day (of the Wood Memorial). He has always shown a lot of talent and is very well-bred. We changed the jockey, which is tough to do, we changed the racetrack, we changed his blinkers a little bit, and his style of running. No more changes."

[Why did he stay at Palm Meadows?]

We were down there with Rick and Upstart. It is a great racetrack and he was working great. We went up two days before the Wood Memorial and have been FedEx'ing him back and forth."

Mike de Kock (Mubtaahij, winner of the UAE Derby, UAE-I)

"We're going to enjoy ourselves while we're here. We're not scared to throw a party. We are taking in the moment and whatever happens Saturday, happens."



[About Mubtaahij having run father than any other horse in the field; he's run about 1 3/16 miles twice]

"He's got a lot of miles under his legs. He is a tough horse and there are no doubts he'll get a mile and half."

[From MC Paul Rogers: "You have made it a point to race all over the world. You like to take on all challenges, don't you?"]

"And I need the money. I enjoy competition. I love this industry and I'm a racing fan apart from being a trainer. Although this is not a South African-bred horse, I enjoy showing off South African horses to world. It is a real honor for us to be among this group."