Michael Matz Quotes (29 Quotes)

All his races, he's been right off the pace and has been able to keep himself out of trouble. Whether he can do that in a 20-horse field, I don't know.

Edgar rode him just beautifully, and the horse just does what he has to do. He galloped out greathis ears were pricked, and it was beautiful to see in the replay. It looked like he was just looking for more. That was the first time a horse really fought with him, so I thought he'd come back here dead tired, but he ate everything up that night and he's in the feed tub right now.

He's the real deal. I think I have a very good horse. He's the type of horse that gives me that confidence he can do it. My job right now is to do the very best I can for him. One thing that's different from my Olympic experience, I was on the horse and had to do it myself. I have no control once the race starts now.

Whatever we've asked him so far he's done, so we're going to try the dirt now and if he doesn't handle it, we'll still know that we have an exceptional turf horse. He'd only worked one time on the grass before his last race, and he's trained well on the d

We have a fresh horse. I really don't see that big a deal of it, but everybody did. If this horse would have lost, I think I would have been lynched tomorrow.

It was two colts who had a lot of determination and they fought to the wire. He was a half a length fit enough.

Everybody makes a big deal out of the five weeks, but I don't think it's a big deal for this horse.

He's trained well on dirt. There's no reason to think he will not run well unless he has traffic trouble. And he has enough tactical speed to keep himself out of trouble.

I hope we have a fresh horse come the first Saturday in May.

It just so happened his first race was on the grass. His breeding had a little bit to do with it. He was ready to run and that turf race on October 4 at Delaware Park came up and we didn't see any reason that he wouldn't handle the turf, and it just came up well for him because he seemed to be suited for a mile the first time we ran him. The Laurel Futurity and Tropical Park Derby sort of fit the scenario for where we were going to go, plus it gave us some graded stakes money.

This race will be a test. This was sort of the plan for this horse all along. The timing was just right for his turf races. We've taken our time with him. Physically, he was ready before, but mentally, he had a lot of growing up to do.

We've always known distance would never be a problem with him.

We have to take care of the kids.

If people wouldn't try to cheat, this would never happen. I don't want to be starting here when the other guy is starting up there.

I try not to think about it. The times you think about it are when you are on a plane and you hit some turbulence and you hope it doesn't happen again. Right now, you can't help but get on airplanes and fly. I'm just thankful my wife and I were OK. Then, you go on with life. You can't use that as a crutch not to do anything.

We thought he was a good horse from day one. This horse makes me shiver when I see him work on the dirt. He really does have a lot of talent.

They'll find something. Don't worry. There'll still be questions.

We picked the wrong one.

I think it is his ability and his heart. He's got a great attitude and his heart is a tremendous asset. He is a terrific athlete.

That's everyone's concern. In a 20-horse field, you can get knocked out before you get to the first turn. Nothing you can do about that.

He has always trained well on the dirt. His half-brother was a stakes winner on the dirt. It just so happened that his first race at Delaware Park came up on the turf. If it doesn't go well on the dirt, we'll go back to the turf and still have a fresh hor

He was ready to run today. He's a good horse. He's done everything we've asked of him.

I have no reason to think he won't run as well on a dry track because he trains really well on the dirt. I have no reason to think he won't do the same as he has in his training.

It's a short run to the first turn, but he should be able to put himself in a good spot right behind Sharp Humor, who figures to set the pace. Naturally I'd like to be closer to the inside, but it shouldn't be a problem.

The pilot did a terrific job getting the plane down. We were lucky enough to survive that crash. It's something you're grateful for, and I guess it just wasn't my time ...

He's obviously a very talented horse. Whether he carries the class he shows on turf over to the dirt, we just don't know yet. But his mother and half-brother (Holy Ground) ran well on the dirt.

I think it will suit this horse. I want to make sure if we get to Kentucky we have a good chance. I don't want to go there and (just) say, 'Well, we've got an entry in the Kentucky Derby.' That's no fun.

It was just a real good horse race.

So far, he's answered everything that's been asked of him. I'm sure sooner or later he's going to get beat, but it hope it's later rather than sooner.