Cox Brigade Records Final Derby Tuneups

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Cox Brigade Records Final Derby Tuneups
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Angel of Empire works outside of Jace's Road at Churchill Downs

The four-strong Brad Cox brigade registered their final Derby tune-ups April 29 at Churchill Downs but split into parts of an early set and a mid-morning set. Originally planning to send out all four contenders at 7:30 a.m., the time typically reserved for Derby workers only, Cox opted to breeze Withers Stakes (G3) winner Hit Show  and Blue Grass Stakes (G1) runner-up Verifying  when the track opened at 5:20 a.m.

Before dawn the two colts marched onto the Louisville oval, both clocking strong five-furlong breezes in company with their workmates. Verifying, beaten a neck by Tapit Trice  in the Blue Grass in his most recent start, recorded one of the most impressive works of the morning under jockey Tyler Gaffalione.

Clipping through splits of :23 1/5, :35 2/5, and :47 2/5, the son of Justify   cruised through the lane well in hand outside of his company, Ever So Mischievous, to complete the five furlongs in :59 2/5, the second-fastest of the day. The Coolmore colorbearer galloped out a strong six furlongs in 1:12 4/5.

Verifying with Tyler Gaffalione training at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 29, 2023.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Verifying works over the main track

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"He's doing really, really well," Cox enthused. "I loved the way he was training up to the Blue Grass, and I'm seeing more the same from him. Off of a big effort sometimes they can be a bit flat, but he seems to be continuing to move forward.

"(Tyler's) excited and so am I."

Gary and Mary West's Hit Show, beaten a nostril in a wild finish in the April 8 Wood Memorial, clocked the five furlongs in :59 3/5, out finishing his workmate, Tampa Bay Derby (G2) fourth-place getter Tapit's Conquest .

The gray Candy Ride   colt broke off to the outside of his workmate and worked in splits of :23 3/5, :35 4/5, and :47 2/5. Asked for more at the eighth pole, Hit Show continued strongly to the wire, galloping out the six furlongs in 1:13 4/5.

"It was a pretty good move for (him)," Cox said. The trainer also remarked on how a possible wet track on Derby day would be conducive to Hit Show, whose breeding suggests an affinity for the off-going. The progeny of his sire, Candy Ride, have traditionally performed well in the mud, and his dam, Actress , captured the 2017 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) in the slop.

Hit Show - Gallop - CD - 042923
Photo: Coady Photography
Hit Show (outside) breezes in company with Tapit's Conquest

Arkansas Derby (G1) victor Angel of Empire  and Louisiana Derby (G2) third-place finisher Jace's Road  breezed in tandem later in the morning at 7:30 a.m. Both horses are owned by Albaugh Family Stables although West Point Thoroughbreds is a joint partner on Jace's Road.

Jace's Road, the expected pacesetter in a Derby field largely void of early speed, broke off in front of Angel of Empire through an opening quarter in :25. The pair linked up around the turn and finished together under the line.

Florent Geroux and Jace's Road were timed in 1:01 1/5 for the five furlongs while Angel of Empire was credited with 1:01 2/5.

"They broke off nice and easy," Cox said. "I told the riders to pick up at the eighth pole, and they both responded well. I liked what I saw from both of them."

Angel of Empire, with Chris Landeros in the irons, was outfitted with blinkers for the breeze. Cox reported that the Classic Empire   colt occasionally sports them for works but will not adorn the equipment on race day.

Last year, Cox had three entered in the Derby, including Arkansas Derby winner Cyberknife  , with Tawny Port  finishing the best of the trio in 10th. The conditioner believes he's holding a more competitive hand for this year's Run for the Roses.

"We had a talented group last year but this is a very, very good group," Cox said. "Angel of Empire is coming off two big runs going 1 1/8 miles. Verifying ran a winning race last time. Hit Show ran a winning race in the Wood last time and fell a half-inch short. Overall I think we have some true 1 1/4 miles horses this year."

Although Cox was awarded the victory in the 2020 Kentucky Derby with Mandaloun   following the postrace disqualification of Medina Spirit for a failed drug test, the two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer desires nothing more than to see his horse cross the Derby finish line in front.

"I want to be here with horses that belong, that's the big thing, and I think we are," Cox said. "We want to be effective in the race and not just an also-ran. I'm a competitive person. I want to see our horse cross the wire in first. I'm excited about all our chances on Saturday."