Quotes from the $250,000 Perryville (L)

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

Steve Asmussen (winning trainer of Gunite)

“(He has shown) beautiful consistency. He has performed at the highest levels and continues to impress. (As Keeneland Racing Analyst Scott Hazelton said in the Paddock), he carries himself like he can do this. He’s got a confidence. He accepts what’s happening and does it extremely well.

“This was the first test (regarding whether to go to the Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint-G1 in 14 days): How he handles Keeneland. I thought he ran really well. He was very comfortable and looked great over the race track. Now it will all be about how he comes back. But we have until Monday (pre-entry deadline) to decide.”

Tyler Gaffalione (winning rider)

“It was very easy for him. He’s a very talented colt. I’m just so blessed to be able to ride him. I can’t thank (trainer) Steve (Asmussen) and (owner) Mr. (Ron) Winchell (of Winchell Thoroughbreds) enough for this opportunity. He’s a very special horse. I had a great post, so I just helped him get out there, get him underneath himself, and he does the rest.”

Brian Hernandez Jr. (rider of runner-up Hoist the Gold)

“We had a great trip from the one hole. We were able to work out a good inside trip. Turning for home, we were right behind the eventual winner. He was just a little bit better than us today.”

Joel Rosario (rider of third-place finisher B Dawk)

“He took his time to get out (of the gate) and get into the race in the beginning, but he made a nice move going into the turn. He did his best. He tried really hard. The two horses in front of him were better today.”