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

Jose Ortiz (winning rider of Evanescence)

“I was full of horse at the three-eighths pole. I was just waiting for the right moment to tip her outside and let her go. Obviously she loves it here (at Keeneland) — she’s three-for-three — and (trainer) Eddie (Kenneally) has done an amazing job with her, and all the team back in the barn. We’re very happy we got the win today.”

Eddie Kenneally (winning trainer)

“She’s been good since the beginning. She’s never run a bad race. She’s never been out of the money. She’s just a big, strong filly that thrives on racing and is getting better.”

On looking forward to the Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1), also to be run at Keeneland

“She loves Keeneland and I think the distance of that race is ideal too. Six-and-a-half (furlongs) today was fine, but I think her best distance is actually seven-eighths. So I think it’s an ideal race for her, and the way she is right now I think she can show up again in a race like that.”

Patrick Masson (Racing Manager/Breeding Consultant for winning owner Green Lantern Stables of Richard D. Masson) 

“It’s hard to really put that feeling (of getting such a big win) into words. You see a horse you’ve put a lot of work into, the team put a lot of work into, and to have her come down the stretch like that — I mean she does that every race, she tries every race. I’m very happy she was able to show that here today.”

John Velazquez (rider of runner-up Praying, winner of the TCA last year)

“I thought I was gonna hold on there for a second. I think if she switched (leads), she probably would’ve given me a little more. She probably needed this kind of race.”

Luis Saez (rider of fourth-place finisher Echo Sound)

“Beautiful trip, she was in the spot we were looking for, but she didn’t fire.”