Quotes from the $300,000 Sycamore (G3)

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

John Velazquez (winning rider of Highland Chief-IRE)

“(My instructions were) very simple – we talked about it this morning; (trainer) Graham (Motion) and I did. We looked at the race and there was only one horse really with speed, and the horse (Channel Maker) Luis (Saez) rides is always close. I just tried to stay right behind horses, save some ground and hope he would come running. I was just looking for some sort of space at the quarter pole, and once I got it, he was there for me.”

Alice Clapham (assistant to winning trainer Graham Motion)

“He had a very nice breeze on Monday (at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland) before they shipped him down, so it all worked out really well.”

Umberto Rispoli (rider of runner-up Temple)

“It was a beautiful trip. I had the dream trip. I was just where I wanted to be behind the speed. I knew (Highland Chief) was on the inside; I was trying to make an early move at the top of the stretch to get the momentum on that horse, who I thought was the best horse in the race, and he proved that. But I am very satisfied with my trip and my horse.”

Tyler Gaffalione (rider of third-place finisher Highest Honors)

“My horse ran a big race today. I ended up a little further back than I wanted to be. He’s not the quickest horse out of the gate, but he put in a big run down the lane weaving through traffic and I was very pleased with him.”

Ian Wilkes (trainer of beaten favorite Mira Mission, who finished sixth)

“He ran good. It was a blanket finish (for second). He is probably a year from being a really nice horse. He is only a 4-year-old. If he keeps improving, we will be back bigger and better next year. We may freshen him up and (wait to) bring him back for next year. He ran tremendous today.”