Cox's Deep Bench of Kentucky Derby Prospects Grows

Trainer Brad Cox is plotting next moves for some of his army of 3-year-olds on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail.

Cox's prospect list grew Jan. 1 when he sent out the 1-2 finishers in the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes, Oaklawn Park's first of four Kentucky Derby points races. Heavily favored Victory Formation , co-owned by prominent North Little Rock, Ark., businessman Frank Fletcher and Spendthrift Farm, remained unbeaten with a front-running three-length victory over Angel of Empire . Victory Formation (3-for-3) was making his stakes and two-turn debut.

"He's a pretty smart horse," Cox said during training hours Jan. 2 at Oaklawn. "I know I've said that several times, but he really is. He's a horse that doesn't overdo it. He's not too hard on himself, and I think that's going to take him a long way and, hopefully, allow him to get more ground and, obviously, have a long career of racing."

Cox said Victory Formation appeared to exit the Smarty Jones in good shape physically, adding next-race plans are pending for the son of 2017 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Tapwrit  . Cox said Victory Formation is soon scheduled to return to Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, where he has been based this winter. 

Oaklawn's Kentucky Derby points series continues with the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 28, $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 25, and the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles April 1. Cox said "it's too early" to tell if Victory Formation will return to Oaklawn for other Kentucky Derby points races, particularly the Arkansas Derby, a race Fletcher covets the most.

"I'm well aware that Frank would like to win the Arkansas Derby, but we'll do what's best for the horse and see if he takes us there," Cox said.

Cox said next-race plans are also pending for Angel of Empire, who breezed twice last month at Oaklawn in advance of the Smarty Jones. Angel of Empire, by Classic Empire  , already owns two victories around two turns at Horseshoe Indianapolis. He ran his fastest race when stepping up in class over the weekend.

"I think with more ground, the better for him," Cox said.

Victory Formation earned 10 points toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby for his Smarty Jones victory. Angel of Empire received four points. Based on official rankings from Churchill Downs, Cox has six of the top 15 horses on the latest Kentucky Derby leaderboard—No. 4 Jace's Road  (13 points), No. 5 Instant Coffee  (12), No. 6 Victory Formation (10), No. 11 Loggins  (four), No. 12 Verifying  (four) and No. 15 Angel of Empire (four).

Cox also trains unbeaten Corona Bolt  (by Bolt d'Oro  ), blowout winner of the $100,000 Sugar Bowl Stakes at six furlongs Dec. 26 at Fair Grounds; Giant Mischief  (Into Mischief  ), runner-up in the $400,000 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes Dec. 17 at Remington Park; Hit Show  (Candy Ride  ), a sharp entry-level allowance winner at a mile Dec. 17 at Oaklawn; Tapit's Conquest  (Tapit  ), who broke his maiden at 1 1/16 miles Oct. 1 at Churchill Downs; and Tapit Shoes  (Tapit), who broke his maiden at 1 1/16 miles Dec. 3 at Fair Grounds.

Cox said he plans to start Corona Bolt, Hit Show, and possibly Jace's Road in the Southwest. Giant Mischief, Cox said, is pointing for the Rebel.

Cox, the reigning two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer, won the 2021 Kentucky Derby (via disqualification) with Mandaloun   and the 2021 Belmont Stakes with champion Essential Quality  . The latter launched his 3-year-old campaign by winning the Southwest.