Post Position Draw Quotes

Trainer Antonio Sano (Gunnevera, Post 11, 9-5): “No problem. If my horse had speed, it would be a problem, but horse will be in back, so no problem. From the outside post, [Jockey Javier] Castellano can make his way to the inside and then make his run.”

Trainer Jose Pinchin (Three Rules, Post 10, 8-1): “I would have preferred an inside draw, but it is what it is. You have no control over it. [Three Rules] is by far the fastest horse in the race, but you don’t want to burn [him] — you just want to break and get a good position. It’s up to the rider, totally, I’m not even giving [Luis Saez] instructions. He will have to do what he has to do.”

Trainer Dale Romans (Impressive Edge, Post 8, 12-1): “The post is fine. It looks like a perfect spot. It looks like there’s some speed that can get out of there running and we’ll fall right in behind him hopefully.”

“When he ran last time and he ran so well, Alex Solis manages the horse and we discussed what to do. I said we needed to try one big race somewhere. He’s here already, he’s run well here, so let’s see what happens.”

Owner Ron Sanchez (Quinientos, Post 5, 50-1): “We’re very happy. I desired from the No. 7 to the inside, so that’s a very nice spot for the horse. We have Always Dreaming in the No. 4 spot and he has speed. My horse is a stalker, so we’re going to go middle of the pack and make one run to the wire. Hopefully, we can be a longshot to the wire.”

“Gunnevera is a closer -- he got a terrible spot (No. 11) in my opinion. So, Always Dreaming is going to go to the lead with Three Rules, so we’re going to be in the middle of the pack. When Gunnevera makes his move, we’re going to make our move. You can’t be behind him, you have to be in front of him and try to close.”

“He’s in much better shape than he was when we ran the Fountain of Youth. He closed and finished sixth, but we lost fifth and fourth place very close. Right now, he’s going to run much better.”

“He’s not a good worker in the mornings, but the last three workouts he improved a lot. The last one was very fast. He has gained weight and is very strong. He was training marvelous. I’m really sure we’re going to be there.”

“It was at Fasig-Tipton in November, 2015 in Kentucky. I wasn’t supposed to buy a horse. I went there to sell my big mare Wildcat Lily so we put a reserve of $500,000. He was R & A for 380. So in the middle, I went and bought a horse and surprised my wife. I told my wife, ‘Hey, I got a horse,’ She said, ‘We have to name it Quinientos (500).’ “I said, ‘Yeah and he’s going to be in the Florida Derby.’ Everything has been going perfectly.”

Jockey John Velazquez (Always Dreaming, Post 4, 4-1; Battalion Runner, Post 9, 3-1): “Post positions for both of them are actually pretty good, whichever runs. The four is very good for Always Dreaming, and Battalion Runner is quick enough that he’s going to be one-two going into the first turn.”

“Always Dreaming just inherited the lead last time being a slow pace. He’s not a horse that needs to be on the lead. He’s working really well and looks really good. Obviously, he has to step up now to a different level. He’s running with better horses now so hopefully he can step up and continue to do the same things as he’s done from the maiden to non-winners-of-one to stakes horses now.”

“They’re very young horses and they seem that every time we ask them for something, they step up their game and are doing very well.”

Jockey Jose Ortiz (Coleman Rocky, Post 6, 30-1): “I don’t want to be too far outside. I think it’s fine. I never rode the horse before. I don’t know the horse, but [trainer] Gustavo [Delgado] said the horse is doing good. I think it will be a good post position for him.”