I'm Smokin Stakes winner's connections excited

Carla Gaines, who trains I'm Smokin Stakes winner John Scott, who rallied wide again and got up to win for the second time in two starts at Del Mar, was worried early in the race when the Bertrando colt fell so far back again.

"He was that way in his maiden race, but it's easier to make up ground in a maiden race," she said. "It's a lot harder if you're running against winners like today. I can hardly wait to stretch him out. We think he'll be a really good two-turn horse."

Said winning jockey Victor Espinoza: "The farther the better."