Idiomatic Kept Under Cox's Eye Ahead of Molly Pitcher

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Idiomatic Kept Under Cox's Eye Ahead of Molly Pitcher
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Brad Cox (blue hat) checks on Idiomatic upon her return from winning the La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs

Champion Idiomatic  saw her six-race win streak snapped in the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course June 8 but lost no luster to her reputation when finishing a valiant head behind Randomized .

"It was a very good effort with not the greatest trip," trainer Brad Cox said. "I always found on the dirt, when you're getting a wide trip and there's not a lot of pace on, you don't seem to kick on as well as you'd like to see."

Randomized with Joel Rosario wins the Ogden Phipps (G1) at Saratoga during the Belmont Stakes Festival in Saratoga Springs, NY, on June 8, 2024.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Idiomatic (outside) comes up just short as Randomized wins the Ogden Phipps Stakes at Saratoga Race Course

Now Cox will hope the Juddmonte homebred can channel that loss into a rebound trip to the winner's circle at Monmouth Park when she competes July 20 in the Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3).

With eyes set on the Aug. 23 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, the race that solidified her claim to the championship last year, many would consider the logical stepping stone being a start in the "local prep" July 21 Shuvee Stakes (G2).

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Instead, Cox opted for the Molly Pitcher. For one, the Molly Pitcher offers a purse of $500,000 compared to the Shuvee's $200,000 despite being a grade lower. More importantly, it allows Cox to keep the champion by his side.

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With a race at Saratoga in June and aiming for a Saratoga start in August, leaving Idiomatic at the Spa all summer and running in the Shuvee would be an understandable game plan. However, Cox himself has remained in Louisville, Ky., this summer while his son and assistant, Blake, takes care of the Saratoga string.

Therefore, Idiomatic returned to Churchill Downs so Cox could oversee his champion daily and make some tweaks where he sees fit.

"I did bring her back home," Cox said. "I'm here most mornings and keep a close eye on her. I love what I have seen from her."

Just because you are a four-time grade 1 winner and Eclipse champion doesn't mean there are no more lessons to learn. Displeased with Idiomatic's first jumps away from the starting gates in both starts this year, the daughter of Curlin   has taken a few trips to the gate as part of her morning training.

Idiomatic with Florent Geroux wins the LaTroienne (G1) at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 3, 2024
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Idiomatic (second from right) breaks from the starting gate in the La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs

"I want to see her break just a touch sharper," Cox said. "I know you're thinking: 5-year-old, work with her in the gate? You still need to be touched up here and there in regards to standing and breaking properly."

With adjustments made and a prep needed before the Personal Ensign, the Molly Pitcher fit perfectly as Cox already is heading to Monmouth Saturday with Haskell Stakes (G1) entrant Timberlake  and Monmouth Cup Stakes (G3) entrant Highland Falls .

"I am able to train her here at Churchill, put her on the van with the other (Haskell day entrants), and I'll be there," said Cox. "From a standpoint of a comfort level for the trainer, I feel like it's all lining up right."