Quotes from the $1 million Coolmore Turf Mile (G1)

Click here for a replay of the race and the post-race interview with winning connections.

Irad Ortiz Jr. (winning rider of Annapolis)

“He is very tactical; he can do anything. Last time (Sept. 3 Saranac G3 at Saratoga), there wasn’t too much speed in the race so we decided to let him do his thing. It was a slow pace, 49 (49.79) and he was going relaxed; it was pretty much an easy win. But before, in the race at Belmont (July 4 Manila-L), he was right in behind the speed and on the bridle and he responded really well with a good turn of foot coming home. 

“The pace today was a little different from last time. I knew there would be some pace in front of me. I tried to get some position going into the first turn, and thank God everything worked out perfect. I ended up where I wanted to, sitting fourth on the rail, saving some ground, and then was able to keep him out in the stretch. He gave me good turn of foot going down the lane.”

On beating older, proven Grade 1 winners as a 3-year-old

“Very impressive. It’s not easy to win against these horses. We had Santin, we had Masen (GB), we had so many good horses in this race, the O’Brien horse (Order of Australia-IRE). He’s only a 3-year-old but he’s doing so good right now. I think he has ability. He’s a nice horse.”

Perry Bass (winning owner with his mother, Ramona Bass, in the name of Bass Racing)

“It’s pretty impossible to put this (victory) into words. A huge thanks to the team who raised him from Day 1 and brought him along this far – the trainer (Todd Pletcher), (jockey) Irad (Ortiz Jr.) – we could go on and on.

“(This win is) the pinnacle. (My mother and I) talk about (the racehorses) daily. We fret daily. The lows are the worst, and the highs … I’ve never experienced a high like this.”

Joe Talamo (rider of runner-up Ivar-BRZ, who won the race in 2020)

“He was moving so good. I thought he was a winner turning for home, but hats off to the winner, he fought really nice. He’s fun to ride every single time. He always puts in a good run in that last part. His form always holds up really well. (Trainer) Paulo (Lobo) keeps him in great condition every time he runs.”

Paulo Lobo (trainer of Ivar)

“He was a little wide on the last turn, but I am very happy. He lost to a good horse. No excuse. He ran good in a very fast race. He ran huge. I think we will run back in the Breeders’ Cup. Let’s hope for the best.”

Christophe Soumillon (rider of third-place finisher Order of Australia-IRE)

“The horse ran great. Unfortunately, he (broke a step slow) when the gate opened. After that, I was very happy with him. I was cruising behind the winner in the last turn. I was just hoping he could go a bit earlier. I saw he was waiting for the gap in this race, so I knew I had no time on the inside. When I asked him, he quickened really well and he was fighting hard to the line. It was a great run and I'm sure he will be even better in a few weeks time for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), and we know if the track is a bit softer it's not going to be a problem for him.”