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

Flavien Prat (winning rider of Zulu Kingdom-IRE)

“When I saw the scratches this morning, it sure changed the dynamic of the race. He’s very naturally fast, so (making the lead going into the first turn) was one of the options for sure. He was very brave. Honestly, I felt very comfortable on the lead. He gave me a good run when we turned for home. Obviously he hadn’t run for a while, so I knew he was going to be tired late, so I kept him busy and his talent showed.” 

William Strauss (co-owner of the winner)

“Life doesn’t get better than this. I thought (Hot Rod) Charlie going to the (2021 Kentucky) Derby (G1 for Strauss and his brother Jeffrey) was great but this — having my brother here with me, and the partners I have are just great. That guy (jockey) Flavien (Prat), I just love him, he’s great. And (trainer) Chad (Brown) — Chad’s amazing. He’s a genius.  I appreciate my partners, especially Sol Kumin (of Madaket Stables) for letting me in on this horse. It’s just great, and hopefully we move forward from here. That’s a scary thought, if we can move forward from here. If I ever leave Southern California, I’m moving to Keeneland — well, not Keeneland — to Lexington, Kentucky. This is great, and I always enjoy (being interviewed) in the (winner’s) circle.”

John Velazquez (rider of runner-up One Stripe-SAF)

“Not the trip that I was expecting, but I feel like I ran a good race. I was hoping to be a little closer than that. But I’m proud of him today.” 

Will Walden (trainer of third-place finisher Rhetorical)

“He had a pretty good trip through and through. Good first run off the (five-month layoff). With the (slow) pace with this caliber of horses, it is tough to get by (the pacesetter.) He ran home well. The long-range goal is Breeders’ Cup (at Keeneland Oct. 30-31), so we will pencil everything in around that.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. (rider of Rhetorical)

“I wish I had a little more pace in front of me, but I didn’t. I just rode my race. I got a good trip. I was inside, saving ground, keeping an eye on the stretch. Just not his race.” 

Charlie Appleby (trainer of favorite and fourth-place finisher Notable Speech-GB)

“That’s racing. We had plenty of traffic in front of us. We could never get the run. We will just put a line through (the race) and do what we did with Modern Games (IRE) (Woodbine for the Rogers Mile-G1 in September) and then the Breeders’ Cup (at Keeneland Oct. 30-31). 

William Buick (rider of Notable Speech)

“I just got stuck behind horses and it never really opened up until it was too late. He closed very well. It was a very unlucky loss.”