Brad Cox Enjoying Breakthrough Year

Growing up around the block from the home of the Kentucky Derby, it didn't take Brad Cox long to figure out which career path to pursue.

“I think when everybody else was in a textbook, I was reading a Racing Form,” the 35-year-old conditioner said with a laugh. “And that's the truth. I probably should have paid a little more attention in school.”

While regular weekend trips to the track with his dad–a lifelong racing fan–were the norm, it was through a buddy's family that he received his initial backstretch education.

“I had a friend who's dad worked at the track and he would take us to the backside when I was about nine years old,” Cox explained. “I was kind of hooked from the get-go. I think when I was probably 12 or 13 years old is when I decided that I wanted to train.”

After saddling his first career graded winner in the GIII Prairie Meadows Cornhusker H. courtesy of the overachieving Carve (First Samurai) during his 11th year of training in 2014, Cox's operation has really continued to take it to the next level in 2015. As the season approaches the home stretch, Cox has saddled 93 winners–five at the graded level–good for $3,418,357 in cumulative earnings through Dec. 4. Headquartered at Oaklawn and Fair Grounds for the winter, he currently has approximately 60 horses in training.

“It's been a good year, to say the least,” the Louisville native commented. “It's certainly exceeded expectations. It's really been a great year.”

Following stints for Jimmy Baker, Frankie Brothers, Jinks Fires and Burt Kessinger, Cox served as an assistant to Dallas Stewart for five years before striking out on his own in 2004. What did he pick up from that well-respected group of horsemen?

“With Dallas [Stewart], you learn a lot about organization with having a large number of horses,” Cox said of the former assistant to the legendary D. Wayne Lukas. “And I think that's one of the reasons why we've been successful with growing our stable recently. I certainly picked up basic horsemanship from each person that I worked for along the way as well. Giving the horses time when they need it is the biggest thing. All of my clients are really good about that.”

That aforementioned horsemanship, packaged with the ability to spot his stock well throughout the country, was on display during a memorable Thanksgiving weekend for Cox's up-and-coming operation.

Almasty (Scat Daddy), claimed for $30,000 back in March, registered a career high with a powerful wire-to-wire upset victory in Churchill's GIII Commonwealth S. Nov. 27. The progressive Spelling Again (Awesome Again), a sharp winner of the GII Chilukki S. beneath the Twin Spires last month, stayed on for third behind 'TDN Rising Star' Taris (Flatter) in Aqueduct's GIII Go for Wand H. Nov. 27. Chocolate Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}), meanwhile, a two-time graded winner at Fair Grounds earlier this term, returned from the shelf with a popular optional claiming tally in New Orleans that same day. Cox's other 2015 graded winner Call Pat (Lawyer Ron), heroine of the GIII Groupie Doll S. at Ellis this summer, rallied from far back to complete the trifecta in Churchill's GII Falls City H. Nov. 26.

“It was a great weekend–we had a fantastic Churchill meet,” said Cox, who has also made his presence felt at the prestigious Saratoga stand the past few summers. “I was super pleased. Two graded stakes wins–that was really big.”

He continued, “Spelling Again ran a big race at Aqueduct. We're probably going to give her a little time now and get her ready for a spring campaign. The goal with her is to try and win a Grade I to add to her broodmare value.”

Promising 2-year-old fillies Annabelle (Uncle Mo) and 'TDN Rising Star' Doxology (Songandaprayer) were both in action on Churchill's 'Stars of Tomorrow' card last Saturday. The former delivered a victory in a $75,000 optional claimer, her second straight decision going a mile, while the impressive Indiana debut winner Doxology got going too late to finish with interest while fourth after a wide trip.

“I'm really excited about getting Annabelle around two turns,” Cox reported. “I think she'll really enjoy that. I know she's run three times, but I've really taken my time with her. I haven't really pressed on her yet. Doxology is another one that we're still trying to figure out a little bit. I think there's a lot of improvement to come with both of those fillies moving forward. We've got a lot of young horses that will hopefully pan out as 3-year-olds.”

Cox added that Uncle Brennie (Uncle Mo), winner of the grassy Sunday Silence S. at Louisiana Downs in September and recent third-place finisher in the Street Sense S. on dirt at Churchill, is being aimed at the Springboard Mile S. at Remington.

“I've always said that I like to train a little bit of everything–I don't want all grass, all dirt, etc. I want to have a mix of young horses and older horses, too. I don't train every horse the same. We really try to tailor the training to each individual.”

While his stable continues to project upward, there is one thing that Cox is hoping to add to his resume in 2016.

“I would really like to win a Grade I,” he concluded. “I was just talking to my wife about that. That's the goal for 2016. We have a couple of Grade IIs now, but it's certainly easier said than done to win a Grade I, that's for sure.”