Michael Trombetta (winning trainer of Arzak)

“We gave him a little vacation after the Breeders’ Cup (when sixth in the Turf Sprint-G1). They sent him to Ocala (Florida) to winter. We brought him up to Fair Hill (Training Center in Maryland) pretty early, like in February, so we could get him started. Fortunately the weather cooperated and we didn’t miss any works. He’s trained brilliantly all winter. His last three races are as good as anything he’s ever done. I was a little worried coming off the layoff, that he’d be ready, but he showed up and did what he needed to do. It’s hard to do (win two stakes at Keeneland, this one following the Woodford-G2 last fall), so I hope to be back here in the fall with him.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. (winning rider)

“He was beautiful (warming up). The trainer (Michael Trombetta) told me all about him, that he doesn’t like to be with the pony, so I kept him by himself. He behaved really good and warmed up really good. The race was all about him. It was perfect. He broke so sharp. After that I just bided my time riding behind the speed. I followed (jockey Edgard) Zayas’s horse, Coppola; he took me all the way to the quarter pole. I just bided my time until it was time to ask my horse and he responded really well. Thanks to Mike for the great job and for the owner (Marc Tacher of Sonata Stable) to give me the opportunity.”

Tyler Gaffalione (rider of runner-up Mischief Magic [IRE])

“Everything went to plan. The only thing was lack of pace in front of us, which was a little more honest, but my horse did everything right, ran his race and just was second best today. (The fractions were) a little bit slow for my liking, especially on a horse like that, but gotta play the hand that’s dealt.”

Paco Lopez (rider of third-place finisher Eamonn)

“Pace was slow for these kinds of horses. If I had better post position, I think I could have won the race. He (Eamonn) has been training unbelievable.”