Del Mar  :  Racing Info  :  Ctba Stakes  :

CTBA Stakes

DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA                                                         FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2009

CTBA STAKES

COREY NAKATANI (Repo) – “She broke real good and I just let her settle. Got her over on the rail and sat a good second. In the lane she was a little green, but you’ve got to know she’s just a young 2-year-old. She’s doing her learning. (Trainer) Doug O’Neill and (owner J. Paul) Mr. Reddam have been great supporters of mine all along and you love to win races for people like that.”

On tying Laffit Pincay, Jr. for second all-time on the Del Mar stakes winning list with the victory:  “I’m really proud of that accomplishment. He has been one of my idols. He’s been a great help to me. I’m proud to have my name with his. Hopefully I can keep going and win some more.”

VICTOR ESPINOZA (La Nez) – “She’s just learning out there. When I turned for home, she ducked in a little bit. But it was a good try. When they go farther, she’ll go better.” 

JOEL ROSARIO (Unbridled Meeting) – “It was a good try for her. No complaints. We’ll get ‘em next time.”

DOUG O’NEILL (Repo) -- “It is very exciting to win here. We were kidding around a little awhile ago about when Reddam-O’Neill horses are odds-on, they usually finish up the track. So when we saw the odds [3-5], we were worrying a little bit. But this win makes me feel great. We’ll be looking at the Debutante [Saturday, September 5]. That gives her plenty of time to come back from this race.”

On putting Corey Nakatani up on his 95th career stakes winner at Del Mar and tying for second all-time with Laffit Pincay, Jr.: “I’m just really excited to be part of that.”

FRACTIONS:  :22.35  :45.59  :57.92  1:04.57

The stakes win was the first of the meeting for Corey Nakatani, but the fourth time he has won the CTBA. It is also his 95th stakes victory at Del Mar, tying him for second place on that list with the retired Laffit Pincay, Jr.  Chris McCarron, who also is retired, is the leading stakes winner all time with 134 victories.

The stakes win was the first of the meet for Doug O’Neill and his first tally in the CTBA. He now has 13 stakes scores at Del Mar.

« Return to Stakes Quotes