(Stars and Stripes wins the G3 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland on Saturday  / Photo by Coady Media)

From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:

Quotes from the $350,000 Ben Ali (G3) at Keeneland

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

Luis Saez (winning rider of favored Stars and Stripes)

“Last time when I had the opportunity to ride this horse (winning an allowance race at Oaklawn Park March 8), he showed that he had a lot of talent. (Trainer) Mr. Bill (Mott) always does a great job with the horses. Today (Stars and Stripes) took a big step (forward). I felt very confident. I knew I had a lot of horse, and he’s a fighter. He came to the top of the stretch and he did everything I asked. (Stablemate Batten Down) was a tough horse to beat, but I was pretty confident when I got close to him, because I knew we were going to get up there.”

Flavien Prat (rider of runner-up and Stars and Stripes’ stablemate, Batten Down)

“I had a good trip. The trip that I wanted. He gave me a good run turning for home. It looked like when (winner Stars and Stripes) came at me, (Batten Down) was going to be able to hold him off. Just second best today.”

Tyler Gaffalione (rider of third-place finisher San Siro)

“Circling around the paddock (following a delay) definitely got him on his toes. He ran really well and finished up great. I just really wasn’t able to get to the position I wanted.”