Quotes from the $600,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana

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

Chad Brown (winning trainer of Gina Romantica and runner-up McKulick-GB)

On reasons for her improvement

“Getting her out there in distance a little more, and she has more experience on the turf (made the difference from her last race at Belmont at the Big A, when she was second in the Pebbles-G3). She caught a clean break and I thought (jockey) Flavien (Prat) rode a terrific race. She proved she can get the extra distance and step up with top-class fillies.”

On how he got Gina Romantica to peak

“A lot of patience and a lot of Plan B and C with a horse we thought first was a dirt horse. I want to thank Liz Crow and her team for picking the horse out. She was born and raised locally, right here in Lexington at Machmer Hall, and she’s a Keeneland (sales) graduate. We’ve had so many great horses that we bought here. (Of our) five Queen Elizabeth (wins), this is probably the most memorable, obviously, with the recent passing of The Queen. What an honor even to participate in the race, but to have such success in it—we’re just really lucky to work with these horses.”

Flavien Prat (winning jockey)

“She broke really well. I actually was okay to make the lead, but the pace was fast so I got myself tucked in. She relaxed well and really kicked on well when it was time to make a move. (I knew it was time to make a move) once I got the gap (at the top of the stretch). Turning for home I got a good gap and squeezed on in and she responded really well.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. (rider of McKulick)

“It was a perfect trip. She broke good. I got a perfect spot on the backside. I have no excuses. The other filly (Gina Romantica) was better today. She cut the corner and everything opened up for her. She was there and gave a good turn of foot.”

Umberto Rispoli (rider of third-place finisher Bellabell-IRE)

“She ran amazing. I had a very good trip outside the leader and I could play it either way. At the top of the stretch, I was trying to get a jump on the others. She was quick to respond. The favorite (McKulick) got me for second. The winner was fantastic today.”