Shug McGaughey, winning trainer of Honor Code (No. 4): "We just said we were going to let him run his race. When [front-runner Master Lightning] went that slow, we went on and engaged him. He got down on the inside of that horse [Cairo Prince in the stretch] and he got by him. He showed a lot of guts. I'm proud of him. I think the horse in second is a nice horse, and it was a peculiar race. We'll give him a little time and take him to Payson [Park Thoroughbred Training Center in Florida]. He's going to run that far [Triple Crown distances], we just have to figure out how he wants to do it."

Did he have any concerns early on when he was down on the inside? "Not really, I knew [jockey] Javier [Castellano] would have him where he wanted him. I thought he got beat leaving the eighth pole, but he showed a lot of guts coming back."

Thoughts on the slow early fractional times: "I was shocked. Shocked."

Javier Castellano, winning jockey aboard Honor Code (No. 4): "I didn't put him up there; he put me there. The way he ran the first part, he showed me more speed and was more comfortable and relaxed. I felt the pace was slow. The opportunity was there; I took it. I know he's a come-from-behind horse but the pace was slow. I didn't want to fight him. I think Cairo Prince tried to make the strong, sweeping move and tried to get the jump. My horse is a big, long-striding horse and he anticipated it a little bit. He found a second gear and he came back. He galloped out very strong. The horse showed me he would like more distance. Today, he proved a lot. He's a special horse, and you can put him wherever you want."

Kiaran McLaughlin, trainer of runner-up Cairo Prince (No. 9): "That was a tough beat. The winner is a good horse, but that was a tough one. I thought we had it won."

Luis Saez, rider aboard runner-up Cairo Prince (No. 9): "[When he made the lead], he tried to wait on the other horse. Last time [in the G2 Nashua], he took the lead and opened up five, then stopped a little bit. Today he was doing the same. The other horse, he beat me on the wire."

Jimmy Jerkens, trainer of third-place finisher Wicked Strong (No. 7): "Anytime they finish strong, it's good. With the slow pace, everyone was in the same boat. He had a nice ground-saving trip."