Spelling Again Pads Cox's Career Year
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Photo: Reed Palmer Photography/Churchill Downs
Spelling Again following her Chilukki Stakes victory.
The victory by Sea Jay Racing's Spelling Again in the Nov. 7 Chilukki Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill Downs was part of what has been a breakout season for trainer Brad Cox.
Cox, a native of Louisville, Ky., has had more success in 2015 than his other 11 years in training. He saddled 84 winners in 313 starts and racked up $3,044,947 in earnings through Nov. 7.
NOVAK: Spelling Again Sails Clear in Chilukki
"It was probably one of the more exciting ones," Cox said of the victory by Spelling Again. "It was also probably the first one that I was really confident about, because she was doing so well. We've liked her since she came into the barn, but I think she has gotten so much better since she has come into the barn.
"We liked her both times we ran her at Indiana Grand. I think the first time she may have had a little bit of trouble with the track. It was an off track that day and she didn't take to that too well. She just seems to be getting better and better. She's really thriving right now. If she can maintain where she is right now, I think she's going to have a monster year next year."
In addition to the Chilukki, Cox's graded stakes wins this year came in the Fair Grounds Handicap (gr. IIIT) and Mervin Muniz Jr. Handicap (gr. IIT) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots with Chocolate Ride and the Groupie Doll (gr. III) at Ellis Park with Call Pat. In 2014, he notched his first graded stakes score with Carve in the Cornhusker Handicap (gr. III).
NOVAK: Streaking Chocolate Ride Wires Mervin Muniz
"I think that we exceeded our expectations a little bit just with the amount of wins and quality of wins having won four graded stakes," Cox said. "We've obviously got some great clientele that has put a lot of trust in us with some good stock—that's really what it comes down to. It has been a great year with some of our young horses in particular.
"We've had eight 2-year-old winners so far (and) we've had a 2-year-old stakes winner (Uncle Brennie in the Sunday Silence Stakes at Harrah's Louisiana Downs), so we've had a big year with some of our young horses."