Trainer Quotes: 128th Kentucky Derby Post Position Draw
May 1, 2002

TOM ALBERTRANI (Essence of Dubai, Pick 3, Post 8) - "I would have gone for No. 10 if we had the choice. It would have meant a little less time in the gate. But with the 8 he won't be in there too long. I think we can keep him relaxed by walking behind the gate before they start."

STEVE ASMUSSEN (Private Emblem, Pick 4, Post 11) - "This horse is a bit skin sensitive so he wears a blanket in the gate and he was going to load either first or second anyway. With the blanket on he's fine in the gate. We used it on him for the first time when he ran in Texas (the Houston Texas Juvenile last December) and he's schooled countless times in the gate wearing the blanket."

BOB BAFFERT (Danthebluegrassman Pick 10, Post 17 and War Emblem, Pick 12, Post 5) - "After watching Danthebluegrassman run so poorly in the Santa Anita Derby, we said, well maybe he'll like it better at Churchill Downs.

"We brought him here and he flourished. We didn't say anything about him because we didn't want to bug anybody. He worked Tuesday (six furlongs in 1:11.80 just breezing) with "Chop Chop" Chavez up. After the work, "Chop Chop" came back and said, 'Is this horse in the Derby?' Chavez just loved the way he worked.

"When the colt was still full of himself this morning, we decided to go in the Derby.

"A lot of my second stringers have beaten my first stringers, so we thought we'd take a shot.

"We took the outside post for Danthebluegrassman because he started down on the inside in the Santa Anita Derby (Post 2) and looked like he was intimidated being inside. So we thought an outside post was best."

H. JAMES BOND (Buddha, Pick 1, Post 10) - "We thought it was a good spot. Lots of horses have won from there in the history of the race. And we're the last to load. That should be an advantage."

WILSON BROWN (It'sallinthechase, Pick 15, Post 18) - "I didn't want to get smashed up on the rail. I've got a come-from-behind horse and I don't want to be down inside getting pushed around. We'll do better outside."

JIM CASSIDY (Ocean Sound (Ire), Pick 11, Post 6) - "We wanted 15 but Came Home took that, so it was either 12 or 6. The 6 loads later so that's why we took that position."

ROBERT FRANKEL (Medaglia d'Oro, Pick 2, Post 9) - "It was a good spot for him. We weren't going to be affected by scratches or anything in that spot. He isn't going to spend a lot of time in the gate. It's right where I wanted him to be."

PACO GONZALEZ (Came Home, Pick 8, Post 15) - "Eight or nine would have been our first choice, but they were taken. So we took 15 because we'd rather be outside than inside. Chris (McCarron) was happy. This horse has tactical speed, so he'll be able to get a position into the first turn, hopefully."

MURRAY JOHNSON (Perfect Drift, Pick 19, Post 3) - "We didn't really have a lot of choice. We are just glad to be in the gate because there are some people not in the gate that wanted to be there. He should be able to save some ground, and hopefully they won't put us over the inside fence."

STEVE MARGOLIS (Request For Parole, Pick 5, Post 7) - "I'm happy with it. There is some speed to the inside of us and some to the outside. We had a game plan of some of the numbers we wanted, but they were taken with the first few picks. Seven was available, so we took that."

SHUG McGAUGHEY (Saarland, Pick 5, Post 16) - "We took an outside spot because if we'd gone inside and he broke sharply where there's a lot of activity he might get excited and we'd get out of our game plan. So this post suits his running style. Also, he's a big horse and we wanted to give him a chance to get set in the gate. He's a good gate horse."

KEN McPEEK (Harlan's Holiday, Pick 7, Post 14) - "Actually, it was (jockey) Edgar Prado's selection. Whatever he was comfortable with, we picked. We wanted to have that opening (between 14 and 15 of the auxiliary gate), and I hope nobody scratches so we can maintain the 14 spot in the first gate."

BILL MOTT (Blue Burner, Pick 18, Post 20) - "It's a long way out there, but I wouldn't want to be all the way down inside. If we were down inside in a 20-horse field, you'd have to scoop the dirt off him with a shovel."

JEFF MULLINS (Lusty Latin, Pick 14, Post 4 ) - "Obviously with this horse's running style, the post position would not make much difference. Hopefully, we can save as much ground as possible, have a little luck and pick our way through some horses."

DEMI O'BYRNE (advisor to owner Michael Tabor and trainer Aidan O'Brien, both of whom are in Europe) - Castle Gandolfo, Pick 13, Post 12 and Johannesburg, Pick 17, Post 1) - "I was on the phone with Jerry Bailey (rider of Castle Gandolfo when I made the pick of Post 12 for him, and Jerry was absolutely delighted."

"When we made the selection of the rail for Johannesburg, I was on the phone with Aidan O'Brien. He's very happy with both post positions, as is Mr. Tabor."

Gary Stevens, who rides Johannesburg, was at the draw and said, "It was a relief to get a mount like Johannesburg for the Derby after my other chances fell through. The rail is part of the way Aidan wants him ridden. I can't disclose any more without giving away our game plan."

TODD PLETCHER (Wild Horses, Pick 20, Post 2) - "Considering we were last (to pick), I think we were very fortunate not to be in the 1 hole."

TED H. WEST (Easy Grades, Pick 16, Post 19) - "Nineteen is way out there, but we won't be in there too long, so that's a plus."

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