Obviously if you ask me, I'd like to see our colt's best distance be a mile and a quarter. … We weren't training this horse to win the Hopeful. We're training the horse for down the road, and the Hopeful is the next logical step.

I like to see a guy ride with confidence. … He is competitive, and he has shown the ability to travel and compete everywhere he goes. And probably the guy I respected as a rider the most over the years -- Bailey -- told me he is the best young rider out there.

This is the best time of the year.

It's a 'What have you done for me lately?' game. He's got to show he's got what it takes to be a Derby winner.

We've got to compete here. He's got to outrun Point Determined, right?

I like to see a guy ride with confidence. … He is competitive, and he has shown the ability to travel and compete everywhere he goes. And probably the guy I respected as a rider the most over the years -- Bailey -- told me he is the best young rider out there.