RAFAEL BEJARANO, RED SUN, WINNER: “I had to be on the lead with my horse. I knew there was going to be a little speed on the outside so I had to use a little bit of my horse in the beginning, but after that I was able to relax. When I saw the favorite (Ryehill Dreamer) was coming next to me I tried to save as much ground as I could and let my horse go with him. This horse always runs well with me.”
TRAINER QUOTES
CARLA GAINES, RED SUN, WINNER: “He was so game through the lane; I’m so impressed. I was screaming my guts out. I expected him to be in front. I was worried for the last quarter of a mile, but he’s always tenacious on the lead, though. Julio’s horse (Ryehill Dreamer, trained by Julio Canani) and my horse ran a great race to the bitter end.
“He’s been close in other stakes races, but this time we got it. The plan was to be in front and he appeared to be the speed on paper. He ran an off race down the hill last time (ninth in the Eddie D) and we really don’t have a reason for that. His last race was not typically him. He came back with a good performance.
“One mile suits him better and we had a little conditioning edge on the favorite (Ryehill Dancer). You take what you can get, right? He’s always been a very, very nice horse. He just had his problems along the way so it is very rewarding that he gets it done today.”
NOTES: The winning owner is John Harris of Coalinga.