Chad Brown, winning trainer of Big Blue Kitten (No. 4): "What a great horse. I wasn't quite sure if I had him fit enough off the layoff, but it seemed like a good spot to get him started. I told Joe if he won, it'd be terrific, but as long as he finished well we had some big plans for this horse later in the year. Lo and behold, he got through anyway on heart."

Joe Bravo, winning jockey aboard Big Blue Kitten (No. 4): "He is an old-time horse who knows how to run. He sat in the pocket and was on the muscle the entire way. I take my hat off to Chad Brown."