(Praying wins the G2 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes at Keeneland / All Photos by Coady Media)

From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:

Quotes from the $400,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) at Keeneland

Click here for a replay of the race and the post-race interview with winning connections.

John Velazquez (winning rider of Praying)

“I have to give it to (trainer) Robbie (Medina). This filly has been a lot of work to get her to where she is right now. She’s a very nervous and very powerful girl, and we try to keep those nerves calmed down. He’s done that with her. She’s been a challenge to get her to where we are today. I tried to keep it nice and quiet in the post parade. By the time we got to the gate, right before the gate, she finally calmed down and she walked into the gate. She broke really good. All I wanted to do was sit down with her and not take too much hold of her and she got it done.”

Robbie Medina (winning trainer)

On winning his first stakes at Keeneland:

“It’s surreal. There’s nothing like winning a big stakes at Keeneland. It’s great.”

On getting Praying to calm down

“We just had to do a lot of Paddock work with her, get her to settle down in the Paddock. In the morning she’s no angel, but we try to get her to settle down in the morning. I think that, and that she’s just kind of maturing, and that’s what’s kind of set this off. She’s always had the ability but she was getting in her own way.”

On handling the trip to Del Mar if he runs her in the PNC Bank Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1)

“I think she’ll handle it. We shipped her from here to Saratoga and she was fine. I shipped her in here last Saturday and she’s been fine. She kind of got on her toes a little bit in the Paddock, but I kind of expected that. As long as she doesn’t get hot, I think she’ll handle what’s thrown at her now.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. (rider of runner-up and beaten favorite Vahva)

“I got a beautiful trip. I broke good. She felt good and was in a good position. She held it for a while, but the winner kept coming. She fought really hard all the way to the wire.”

Cherie DeVaux (trainer of Vahva)

“Proud of her. She puts in an effort every time. That’s all you can ask for.”

Plans regarding going to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships

“It will be part of the conversation. She is definitely going to the (Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale), so no harm, no foul for however she runs. We will just have to get her back and see how she’s training.”

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Since its first race meet 89 years ago, the Keeneland Association has devoted itself to the health and vibrancy of the Thoroughbred industry. The world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house, Keeneland conducts five on-site sales a year, in January, April, September and November. Graduates of Keeneland sales dominate racing across the globe at every level. In April and October, Keeneland offers some of the highest caliber and richest Thoroughbred racing in the world. Keeneland will host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 2026 for the fourth time, following 2015, 2020 and 2022. Uniquely structured, Keeneland is a privately held company with a not-for-profit mission that returns its earnings to the industry and the community in the form of higher purses and millions of dollars donated in support of horse industry initiatives and charitable contributions for education, research, and health and human services throughout Central Kentucky. Keeneland also maintains Keeneland Library, a world-renowned public research institution with the mission of preserving information about the Thoroughbred industry. To learn more, visit Keeneland.com.

For more information email Keeneland Communications Associate Amy Owens at aowens@keeneland.com