Quotes from the $250,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2)

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

Mike Maker (trainer of winner Special Reserve)

“Good horse.”

On whether he’s good enough to challenge the sport’s leading sprinters in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 6 at Del Mar

“I do believe that. I have a lot of faith in the horse. Joel (Rosario) did a fabulous job today I wasn’t expecting to be on the lead today (out of the starting gate), but the horse was so quick.”

On his thoughts while watching the race

“I was thinking ‘wire, wire.’ I saw Wayne’s horse (Aloha West, trained by Wayne Catalano) closing. (Special Reserve) didn’t have another horse to keep his attention. I was a little worried he’s get run down.”

Joel Rosario (winning jockey)

“He broke really well, and it looked like they (Sophie Doyle on Quick Tempo) came up right away, and he was fine with that. He kind of settled a little bit there, nice and quiet, and then in the turn when the horse was backing up a little bit, he was just ready to go.”

Jose Ortiz (rider of runner-up Aloha West)

“They broke good. He made a run from the quarter pole to the wire. And it was a little bit too short.  If they take him to the Breeders’ Cup, he has a good shot to win the race. When we got to the quarter pole, I thought he (could win). The winner is a nice horse. He ran a good race; we were second best.

“I thought the first quarter was going to be a little faster with all the speed than it looked like on paper. It looked like it was a lot of speed but it depends on the break. The one (Quick Tempo) broke good and the six (Special Reserve) broke good. (Special Reserve) was second the whole way and nobody put pressure on him.”

Wayne Catalano (trainer of Aloha West)

“He ran well. He ran hard. Breeders’ Cup is definitely a possibility after that. I’ll talk it over with Aron (Wellman of owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners).”