Cox Is Best "Super Trainer" In Sport Today
Opinion: Cox Is Best “Super Trainer” In Sport Today(Trainer Brad Cox / Photos by Coady Photography)
Cox Is New Super “Super Trainer:
If there was any doubt before, there is no doubt after Saturday’s dominating performances at the Fair Grounds by many of the young runners that emanate from the stalls located in the barn of Brad Cox.
He is the new super “Super Trainer” in the game today.
On Saturday, Louisville’s born and bred Thoroughbred whisperer saddled 11 horses at the Fair Grounds.
At the end of the day, Cox’s horses racked up the following tally sheet:
- 4 Wins
- 1 Second
- 1 Third
- 1 Fourth
- 2 Fifths
- 1 Ninth
- 1 Tenth
That amounts to a win percentage of 36.4%.
That amounts to a “In the Money” percentage of 54.55%
If that isn’t impressive enough, just consider that his Angel of Empire – the longest odds of the 3 that Cox saddled in the G2 Risen Star Stakes – won one of the biggest preps for this year’s Kentucky Derby run to date to become the first Pennsylvania-bred to ever do so.
And…
The rapidly improving Tapit’s Conquest was a closing 4, and, at one time, appeared that he, too, may hit the board in his first attempt in a Stakes event.
Now, with the 149 Kentucky Derby just two months away and approaching rapidly, one could argue that Cox now has 8 possible – if not legitimate — contenders to make the 20-horse field on the First Saturday in May.
While most trainers can’t wait for the day, and can only dream of the night when they could have one – 1 – horse in their barn that has the ability and the chance to win a garland of roses, Cox now has what could be nearly half of the field?
Eight horses?
He has the likes of:
- Instant Coffee
- Angel of Fortune
- Hit Show
- Victory Formation
- Tapit’s Conquest
- Corona Bolt
- Giant Mischief
- Jace’s Road
Highly doubtful that Cox will have to employ more trainers to help him suit up that many saddles in the biggest race of the year, but it is truly amazing that one man, one trainer, one barn operation has that many talented and gifted horses that still may be on “The Road” this late into the trip.
And, it is true that both current Hall of Famer’s Todd Pletcher and Bill Mott have several possible high-end contenders that are being marched through March on the path to a party in May.
But Cox’s numbers?
Well…
Those numbers, my friends, are pretty powerful and convincing evidence that the name plate on the bridle of the world’s top trainer may be ready for a change.
Gene McLean began his professional career in 1977 as a sportswriter and columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader in Lexington, Ky., and was recognized as one of the state’s best writers, winning the prestigious “Sportswriter of the Year” honor in 1985. Now the President and Publisher of The Pressbox, McLean sets the vision for the site and still finds time to handicap races, interview trainers and keep his finger on the pulse of the industry,
