2012 Wood Memorial and Bay Shore Stakes

By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide

Elliott Walden of winning owner WinStar Farm said, "That's a great win, he's a great horse. This stamps him as a Derby prospect, which we're excited about. We needed the earnings today. More importantly, it puts him in our stallion barn, and that's what we look for is horses that we can bring home eventually. Winning a Grade 1 like the Wood Memorial, it's one the best races to win as a three year old so it's great that way as well."

Jockey Javier Castellano said, "It worked out great for me. He settled perfectly. I wanted a target. I didn't want to be on the lead. I had a great trip. Turning for home, he was looking around at horses. When I asked him, he took off again. I like that. I was concerned (when I saw Alpha closing) because my horse was still looking around at the crowd. When he saw the horse coming, he took off again."