GRADE II, $200,000 HILLSBOROUGH WINNER: TEPIN (COURSE RECORD, 1:46.26)
Winning trainer Mark Casse: “Relief. I was a little worried after the first quarter, but I’m happy. I’m always nervous. It’s funny, the distance worked in our favor today. She’s quite a horse. She can do a little bit of everything; that’s what makes her so amazing.”
Winning jockey Julien Leparoux: “I knew (Isabella Sings) was going fast, but when that happens, you almost have to not pay attention to the one in front. Johnny (Velazquez) came back a little at the half-mile pole, but my horse had to fight hard today, which is good. I didn’t whip her because I could feel she was running for me. She had to have a big race to win, and she did.”
Winning owner Robert Masterson: “She is older, smarter, and more relaxed. She doesn’t have to be on the lead now, or close to the lead. She can sit back and pick her spot. Words can’t describe this. At the top of the lane she was still eight lengths behind, but she’s got the biggest turn of foot you’ll see in the last eighth.”
Runner-up jockey John Velazquez: “”Todd (Pletcher) said to me ‘When she (Isabella Sings) breaks, drop your hands down and let her go as fast as she can. That’s her weapon.’ So I didn’t take a hold of her and let her do her own thing. It was a great effort and I think if she had a little race before this one, she would have been even tougher. I’m not surprised (by Tepin). How are you going to be surprised by that?”
