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

Dylan Davis (winning rider of La Cara)

On going right to the lead
“Yes, that was the plan. (Trainer) Mark (Casse) and I talked about it: to break sharply. We saw a lot of speed in this race, so we wanted to just get the best position possible, and that’s what she did. She established dominance early, and then she just took control all the way through the wire. She was looking around a little bit (as we turned for home), so I just had to stay with her and keep her to task to the wire. She ran very well.”

Mark Casse (winning trainer)

On whether today’s win proves she can compete in the division
“I think so, yeah. When she brings her A game she’s tough. (Jockey) Dylan (Davis) said when he was coming down the backside, he thought, ‘Oh, I have the filly I had in Tampa that day’ (Feb. 8, when she won the listed Suncoast Stakes). He said he could tell the difference. We knew (when she was second in the G2) Davona Dale (March 1 at Gulfstream Park), it was just a prep. We brought her back a little quick (for that race) so I could have more time for this race, and it worked out. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but today was good.”

On getting La Cara ready for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in a month’s time
“It sets up perfect. She’s now at three starts off the layoff, so she should be perfect. She loves Churchill (Downs), and we’ll be OK to come back a little quicker. So I’m good.”

Brian Hernandez Jr. (rider of runner-up Take Charge Milady)

“I wish we had a little smoother trip around the second turn. We got a little hung up a bit in traffic, but once it all cleared up she ran on great. If I had gotten around the second turn a little smoother, she would have won. Around the second turn, the winner kind of got the jump and I was following (third-place finisher) Muhimma, who didn’t quicken much.

“She showed it takes to get into the Oaks. The mile and an eighth won’t be an issue for her, so we’re excited about for her run in three weeks.”

Kenny McPeek (trainer of Take Charge Milady)

“This filly seems to be going in the right direction. That last race (the Honeybee-G3 at Oaklawn Park in which she was 10th) was a bit of a head scratcher. We’ve been looking for an excuse but couldn’t really find one.

“She looks so much like (2002 Ashland winner and close relative Take Charge Lady, trained by McPeek). Physically she is getting to look as good as she can.”

Take Charge Milady will ship back to McPeek’s Churchill Downs base Tuesday morning.

Flavien Prat (rider of third-place finisher and beaten favorite Muhimma)

“I thought she had a good chance. When we made the (final) turn, I asked her to make her run but she stayed a bit even. Probably (the 1 1/16-mile distance of the race was) too far.” 

Brad Cox (trainer of Muhimma)

“This wasn’t the result we were looking for. She got a good trip but had no answer for the winner turning for home. We couldn’t get to her.

“(The Oaks) is a big question mark. We will talk it over with (owner Shadwell Stable), let the dust settle and go from there.”

Muhimma has been stabled at Keeneland but likely will ship to Cox’s Churchill division in a few days.