Gulfstream Park: Florida Derby Post Position Draw Quotes

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin (Mohaymen): “We’re pleased to be outside of Nyquist. We just wanted to be outside of him, for one, and two, hopefully we’ll stay out of trouble being outside a little bit. It will give [jockey] Junior [Alvarado] an opportunity to ride his race and be out in the clear.”

“Hopefully [the bigger field] won’t be a negative with traffic issues. It shouldn’t be a problem; six or 10 horses there’s not a lot of difference. Hopefully we break well and we’re out in the clear a little bit, not too wide, and go from there. There’s not any negatives. We’re positive and happy. We’d much rather be in the nine than the one-hole.”

Trainer Doug O'Neill (Nyquist): “It’s hard to gauge. Prior to the draw, we didn’t know if they’d be a bad post for him. Number four is just fine. Like the rest of them, we have to leave the gate running and get good position.”

(On Moyhaymen’s even-money favoritism) “I think Mohaymen has home-court advantage and he is every professional handicapper’s pick from what I’ve read. He’s the Derby favorite to this point. We’ve got to beat him to earn our respect that way.”

Trainer Dale Romans (Takeittotheedge): “This is the time of year, and this is a really good horse. It’s a strong Florida Derby field—you’ve got the two best horses in the country. They usually all wait until they get to Kentucky, so it’s going to be very interesting. But we have a horse with a lot of talent. It’s the time of year—you’d hate to have him run big in just an allowance race. We can always back him up. His maiden race was so impressive, he did it on the lead and he did it with his ears pricked; it looked like he was just galloping. It’s a lot different competition here, but speed is always dangerous. He should be in front and we’ll see if he’s good enough to hang on, get a check and get some points.” 

           

Trainer Gustavo Delgado (Majesto): “Post position number three is very good. He is toward the middle and not outside; the only bad thing is having Nyquist next to us. He’s a very good horse, very fast. I think Majesto can go in the first flight. We will leave it up to [jockey Javier] Castellano. My horse is doing very, very, very good.”

Trainer Jorge Navarro (Chovanes): “It’s alright. We just gelded him and he’s training like a good horse. It’s a tough race, but it’s a chance my owner wants to take.”