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

Tyler Gaffalione (winning rider of Dr. Kapur) 

“It was a lot of fun. The horse was very willing. He didn’t hesitate at any spot I put him in and he finished great. I was very proud of his effort. So happy for (owner Ken Ramsey). (The Ramseys have) been so incredible to me throughout my career, and it’s nice to get a nice win for them here.”

Ken Ramsey (winning owner of Dr. Kapur, bred by Ramsey and his late wife, Sarah, and named for the New York surgeon who performed a kidney transplant on Ramsey in 2025) 

“(Jockey Tyler Gaffalione) followed instructions perfectly. In other words, all that speed up there, our only chance was to hope they had a meltdown, and here he came up the middle of the track. I saw him coming and I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh, if he gets there, he gets there.’ Seven furlongs is what (Dr. Kapur) needs.

“I want to give thanks to my man right here, (family friend) Tom Pope. He’s the guy who gave me a kidney. My kidney function was down to 8%. He donated me a kidney, and right now (function) is 84 (%). I’ve got the kidney of a teenager. He’s the reason I’m standing up here. I was gone, simple as that. I’m going to live to 100 or die trying.”

Junior Alvarado (rider of runner-up Chief Wallabee)

“I had a great trip, a good, saving-ground trip. Turning for home, I tipped him to the outside; I thought I had it until the wire. He ran good.

“I knew there was gonna be a lot of speed in the race. I was sitting in a good position, but when it was time to go, I couldn’t wait anymore. I just had to get my momentum forward. We just barely got beat.”

Flavien Prat (rider of third-place finisher Obliteration) 

“Great run. Very honest.” 

Irad Ortiz Jr. (rider of sixth-place finisher and beaten favorite Deep Flame) 

“I don’t know if he liked (the track), honestly. He’s way better than that for sure. He’s a nice horse.”

Brad Cox (trainer of Deep Flame)

“It’s a head scratcher. Obviously (the leaders) went fast early. I liked where he was early. A little wide but that is a given with the outside post. He looked great, warmed up great but didn’t punch down the lane like we needed him to.”