Click here for a replay of the race and the post-race interview with winning connections.

Francisco Arrieta (winning rider of Can Group)

On winning his first stakes at Keeneland:

“This is beautiful. I never thought I’d be riding at Keeneland and here I am and winning a Grade 2 – it’s amazing.” 

On how the race progressed and being sure of the win:

“He was (last going into the final turn). When I moved and he saw the leaders, he just took off and, wow, it was amazing. I felt like I crossed the wire in front. He was rolling. I won with him at Kentucky Downs (maiden special weight Sept. 2) and he came from off the pace very nice, slow, so today I planned the same. Relax, give him time and make one move, and he showed up.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. (rider of runner-up Noted)

“Perfect trip, just unlucky they got us at the wire.”  

Gerardo Corrales (rider of third-place finisher Vote No)

“I had a lot of horse. In the stretch he was running, but he just got a little tired.”

Tyler Gaffalione (rider of fourth-place finisher and favorite First World War)

“The post position (12) didn’t help us much, but I was really impressed with my horse. He put himself in a good spot. He traveled great throughout. He really fought on all the way to the wire. Got a little bit tired, but like I said the post position affected us a little bit.”