Trainer Marcus Vitali (Valid): “He’s a good horse. He’s back at home. He likes it here. We knew there was some speed in there. I told (jockey) Javier (Castellano) just be light in the mouth and keep him close. Javier decided to let two or three horses go and when it was time, he asked and as usual Valid responded.”

“He was doing really good, and the Breeders’ Cup I don’t think took a lot out of him. He’s a class horse and good horses make good trainers. He’s been holding up really good and training good. I thank Crossed Sabres for the opportunity again. They’ve been very generous and trusting in me and that’s why I’m here.”

(On changing riders): "I just had some thoughts as a trainer. I was mulling some things around in my head. I had talked to Matt yesterday or the day before. Nothing personal, it was a business decision. He’s a great kid and he still rides for me, and we move forward.”

“We’ll see how he comes back and see what he tells me and we’ll decide something soon. He likes to be a racehorse. He loves his job. You see him out there in the post parade, he was happy. He loves to train. He’s got his quirks but when you put him in the gate he knows what time it is. He knows what he wants to do.”

Javier Castellano (Jockey, Valid): “It was a good setup. A lot of horses went to the lead. My horse wanted to go to the lead too. I had to take him back a little bit and the race set up perfect. I waited for my time behind horses and got the jump on Madefromlucky. That was the horse we had to beat. It worked out great.

“One thing I want to say. It’s a business. I feel bad for the other rider, but I was open in the race. They were looking to make a change and I was lucky to be able to ride the horse.”

Jockey John Velazquez (Madefromlucky): "Perfect trip. The other horse (Valid) got the better trip inside. I had to go around."

Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. (Mr. Jordan): "Thought he ran well off the long layoff. It wasn't the preferred race. We wanted to go one turn off the layoff, but this is what was available and I think this will serve as a building block."