Quotes from the $350,000 Woodford (G2) Presented by FanDuel

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

Wesley Ward (trainer of winner Golden Pal)

“Every time he runs, I get kind of nervous because he’s so exceptional. We’re real excited now to get on to the Breeders’ Cup. We got our prep into him here on his home track at Keeneland, and 28 days from now we’ll be ready to roll.”

On Golden Pal’s ability to break so easily from the gate

“It’s just like any other great athlete in any sport. Of all the horses I’ve ever trained – and fast ones – he’s just unbelievable, just an extreme talent. The athleticism he has; he’s just like a cat when he moves for such a big colt. He’s got a brilliant mind to him as well. I really look forward to what he’s going to be as a stallion. He’s so smart in the barn, so quick and agile – I really look forward to his babies here.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. (winning jockey)

“He’s a fast horse. He’s an amazing horse. He’s something else. I’m just happy to be on him. Thanks, Wesley and the owners and everybody involved for letting me ride this horse. He loves this track. It’s home for him.”

Julien Leparoux (rider of runner-up Oceanic)

“I had a good trip. The horse tried very hard. We had a nice clean trip; we were just second best today. He ran his race, a big race for him. The horse is doing good right now. It did him good mentally and he feels good out there by himself.”

Jordan Blair (trainer of Oceanic)

“I would say that effort puts him in the Breeders’ Cup. It is nearly impossible to beat Golden Pal but you can’t win it if you’re not in it. I thought (Oceanic) would be a little closer to the front, but they were going so fast and Golden Pal was doing it so easy.”

On being far back

“The first 100 yards I was a little concerned, but I knew the jockey still had horse and at that point I was cheering for second.”

Tyler Gaffalione (rider of third-place finisher Artemus Citylimits)

“The race kind of went to our expectations. Golden Pal went out there and set the tone. My horse tracked coming in the stretch. He put in a good run but wasn’t enough to get there today.”