20 Quotes by Ron Ellis

We didn't expect to buy him, but we thought he was undervalued at that price. Here was a sound, proven horse costing less than yearlings. And we certainly had this race in mind when we bought him.

The most frustrating thing for a trainer is when you know a horse has ability but doesn't put the effort forward. But that's our job, to make them want to do it. Teachers deal with kids who have tremendous ability but don't try. I feel like I'm giving him every opportunity to win and get confidence. If he'll just give his all he'll win. If he doesn't, anybody's eligible to win.

The weather report last night said that the snow was going to be south of us.

It's the whole trail getting there that takes the toll. They ask a horse to run 1 1/4 miles for the first time (in the Kentucky Derby), but it's a long road getting there.

I'm going to go. Paul's going to be in New York that day with Suave for the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

I'm really confident about our chances. He's coming off the best race of his career numbers-wise, and it really restored his confidence. He's doing great, and training great. He's sitting on a big performance.

I didn't think he was in the right place, mentally, to run in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), and I don't like to get a horse beat up. It looked like the light went on a little in this race. It was exactly what he needed, a good confidence builder. He has so much ability and always trains great and he should move forward from this.

He said he can't tell if the injury is old or new. What might have happened is that he hurt the cannon bone when he hurt his knee, but we didn't know it. With the cannon bone injury, you would need three or four months off. He only had two months off, because that's what you need after having the knee chip out. Maybe he hadn't healed all the way and he could still feel it.

If he'll just give it his all, he'll win. If he doesn't give it his all, everybody else is eligible to beat him.