Byron Hughes, assistant to Todd Pletcher, winning trainer of Red Rifle (No. 6): "I think Todd wanted to stretch him out and see if a mile and a half would be best for him, and it all paid off. This race came up just right for him."

John Velazquez, winning jockey aboard Red Rifle (No. 6): "We thought if somebody went, I'm on the outside and it would be perfect to sit off whoever goes, instead of being on the lead the whole time. I was able to sit there, bide my time and hope that he would respond, which he did. Last time he got beat, Todd [Pletcher] and I were talking, and he said, 'You know, it seems like he would like to go further, because he galloped out really good,' and I said 'I think so, because he keeps going. He doesn't pick it up too fast, but he just keeps going. I think we should try it.' We did, and it worked."