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

John Velazquez (winning rider of American History)

“I was not expecting my horse to break as slow as he did. He broke slow, tipped in, tipped out. He took a little dirt going into the first turn. He took it pretty well. He jumped up and down a little bit, but all of a sudden before we got to the backstretch, he locked onto the bridle and I had to jump beside the horse in front of me and after that he was in a good cruising speed. I was very happy the way he was doing it. I was hoping the two horses in front were going fast enough that my horse could catch up. My horse has one stride — kind of keeps coming, coming and coming — and that’s the way he did it. He’s still learning. He’s a big boy. We’re very happy things turned out the way they did.”

Gerry Duffy (President and CEO of winning co-owner WinStar Farm, who races American History with First Go Racing and CHC Inc.)

“I think a lot of us lost our voices cheering him home. My what a finish — two great horses out in front, and he just ran his heart out for us today and won a very important race. We’re very grateful.”

On WinStar winning its eighth stakes race at Keeneland to earn the Tray in Keeneland’s Milestone Program:

“All of what happens is through (WinStar owner) Kenny (Troutt) and the Troutt family. It’s his vision, his determination. We wouldn’t be here without Kenny and the Troutts, and just to celebrate this victory with them, you couldn’t ask for more. The whole team, it’s home turf (WinStar Farm is) just a couple miles up the road. We got a lot of the team members here (today) who make it happen. Credit to Elliot (Walden, former WinStar Racing Manager and CEO) and Dave (Hanley, WinStar Senior Vice President/Bloodstock Services) for picking out this horse, to (trainer) Todd (Pletcher) and (jockey) Johnny (Velazquez). It’s a big team effort and we’re just so thankful.”

Kenny McPeek (trainer of runner-up and beaten favorite Coach Pope)

“I told (the colt’s namesake, University of Kentucky men’s basketball head coach) Mark Pope before the race, if anyone beats us, it'll be (American History). I said, That’s a really handsome colt, and (trainer) Todd (Pletcher) comes in to these races loaded.”

“He shows he fits, and he’s an exciting colt to be around. We’re going to enjoy every moment of it. He’ll come back in the Breeders’ Cup if he’s OK.”

On how the race set up

“The inside draw, he got a little engaged with the pace. But maybe he doesn’t beat (Q B Rocket) if he doesn’t go, too. And I was a little conservative with him going in to this race. I didn’t over-train him.”

Jose Ortiz (rider of Coach Pope)

“I think my horse ran a good race, coming off a big performance last time. I think he’s going to keep improving. First time for all of them going two turns. The winner is very nice. I knew he was a serious contender.”

Brad Cox (trainer of third-place finisher Q B Rocket)

“Big effort. Broke from the inside, we faced a good bit of pressure throughout the race. Solid fractions, never gave way. I thought (Coach Pope and Q B Rocket) set it up for the winner. (The winner) ran a big race. Second start of his life, congratulations to those guys. I’m excited about (Q B Rocket). I think he’s got a big future, and he showed a lot today.”

On whether to continue to the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

‘We’ll talk it over with Spendthrift and their team and see if (we go). First and foremost we’re going to watch the horse. It’s a quick turnaround time, four weeks to the Breeders’ Cup here off a demanding effort. We’ll look at that, Churchill is another option this fall. So excited about what he showed us today, and looking forward to maybe one more start this year, not sure where that will be. Hopefully he can get us to the (Kentucky) Derby.”

Junior Alvarado (rider of Q B Rocket)

“He broke good, broke on top, like how I thought I was gonna be. Then we got pressure early and the whole way around. I think that cost us a little bit at the end, but he ran good.”