COMMENTS ON THE CUP

JOE BRAVO, Winning Jockey, TURBO COMPRESSOR (sprinting to catch a flight to New York)

"I don't even know where I am.  I don't see any tall buildings, so I know I'm not in New York.  If they give me a horse like this, I'll go anywhere."

First the first time, the Colonial Turf Cup was run under the new lights at Colonial Downs.

TODD PLETCHER, Winning Trainer, TURBO COMPRESSOR (not present, quoted in the Daily Racing Form)

“That’s what we were hoping for, to get to walk the dog on the front end a little bit.  I thought the fractions were comfortable. He seemed like he was doing it in hand. It was just a matter if he was going to have something left to finish with and it certainly looked like he did.”

ALEX SOLIS, Jockey, (2^nd in CNL Turf Cup) AIR SUPPORT, 2011 Virginia Derby winner

"I had a great trip, really no excuse.  My horse ran hard.  The winner had an easy lead so it made it hard for me.  I try to catch him but he was too strong a leader."

“It was a little more pace.  The sixteenth of a mile, it really would have helped us.  He ran a great race, the winner did too." (Referring to the difference between the Turf Cup and last year’s Virginia Derby)

BYRON “SCOOTER” HUGHES, Trainer (3^rd,CNL Turf Cup), RAHYSTRADA, 2011 CNL Turf Cup winner

“I thought he ran a good race.  He had some traffic problems and a little bad luck.  The winner was on the easy lead.  Worked out great for him, not so lucky for us.  The winner may have had some left.”

“He’s a very good rider and I’ve used him many times.” (Referring to jockey Sheldon Russell)

ROBERT COURTNEY, Owner (3^rd in CNL Turf Cup), RAHYSTRADA, 2011 CNL Turf Cup winner

“I think it was a great run for him.  We were a little slow bringing him back this year.

If we were going a little bit further today, the way he was firing at the end,Sheldon said he had a whole lot of horse there."

"We’re pleased with the race he ran.  It shows us the eight-year old, he’s back. I wish I could have won it today.  I guess another day we’ll run him again.   I’ll bring him back next year at nine."

GRAHAM MOTION, Trainer (4^th in CNL Turf Cup), SMART BID

“He ran great.  He ran his race.  Once again his beaten 3 lengths in a graded race.  It’s kind of been the story of his life this year.  He ran a super race, he always shows up, this horse.  It couldn’t be happier, really obviously I’d be happy if he won It’s a good effort."

“I was just talking to Edgar, maybe choosing some longer distance races, staying away from the real heavy hits.  But I really haven’t come up with anything, yet.” (Referring to Smart Bid's next possible start.)