Mark Casse (winning trainer of Tepin)

On whether he feels pressure since everyone expects Tepin to perform so well “A touch. But I have to say something. (Owner) Mr. (Robert) Masterson – if it wasn’t for him – everybody wouldn’t get to see the great Tepin. He wanted to let her run another year (rather than being retired). It puts a little pressure on us. I love it.

“But I just don’t want to let her down. It’s hard.”

Julien Leparoux (winning rider)

On what it’s like to ride a mare like Tepin

“It makes my job easier. She’s amazing. She can do whatever we want. I didn’t think there was going to be that much pace today, so I was planning on sitting second. But when I saw (other horses) going (to the lead), I just sat back there. On the backside, she started to get going. She’s amazing. Every time you ask her to do something, she does even better. It’s great.”

Gary Stevens (rider of runner-up Wekeela [FR])

“Tepin was awesome; my filly was awesome in her first performance in America. (She) completely missed the break. She was just in there enjoying all the scenery and kinda clued me in that she wasn’t going to break well, like most French horses. So my plan got thrown out the door. I was gonna sit right behind Julien (Leparoux on Tepin) and see if I could outkick her. Let's face it: I wasn’t going to beat her whether I got away good today or not, but I could have given (my filly) a much easier race. (Wekeela) is a quality filly and she’ll win her share of Grade 1s.” 

Flavien Prat (rider of third-place finisher Illuminant)

“I had a good trip. When the horse (pacesetter She’s Not Here) came on the outside of me, I let her go, and so that way mine got a breather. She ran great. She's a really nice filly. She can run longer if they want.”

Javier Castellano (rider of fourth-place finisher Dacita [CHI])

“I had a beautiful trip. (The race) set up perfect today. They went pretty quick: (23.39, :46.89). That’s pretty quick and my filly comes from behind. I saved all the ground on the first turn. Turning for home, I let her go outside and I tried to find a kick, but she just didn't have it today.”