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‘Yet To See The Best Of Her’: Cox Sending Bonny South To Black-Eyed Susan

Trainer Brad Cox said Juddmonte Farms' homebred Munnings filly Bonny South was rerouted from the Kentucky Oaks (G1) once it was announced in mid-August that the $250,000, Black-Eyed Susan (G2) would be on the Preakness undercard at Pimlico racecourse in Baltimore, Md.

“That was the spot that made the most sense, against 3-year-olds fillies, he said.

Cox won the Kentucky Oaks anyway with 15-1 shot Shedaresthedevil upsetting Swiss Skydiver and odds-on favorite Gamine. He said the fact that he had the Indiana Oaks (G3) winner in the Churchill Downs race had no bearing on Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) winner Bonny South, who was coming off a second behind Swiss Skydiver in Saratoga's Alabama (G1) at 1 1/4 miles on Aug. 15.

“The biggest thing with her not running in the Kentucky Oaks was coming back in 20 days, the quality of the race. It was a very, very good race,” Cox said. “Ultimately they made the decision to not run. The timing wasn't quite there. Since the Alabama, she's done really, really well.”

Bonny South worked five-eighths of a mile in 1:01 under jockey Florent Geroux Saturday morning at Churchill Downs. Cox timed her galloping out six furlongs in a strong 1:13 4/5, saying afterward, “She went fantastic. She's doing great. She's maturing. She's still somewhat lightly raced, only run six times in her life. I think we have yet to see the best of her. Hopefully she'll take a step forward. I don't know what's running in there yet, but I'd have to think she's one of the top choices.”

Cox edged two-time defending champion Steve Asmussen to collect Preakness weekend's trainer participation bonus last year, collecting $50,000. The bonus, which totals $100,000 is offered to trainers based on horses' performances in stakes races. Cox earned top prize by winning the Miss Preakness (G3) with eventual 3-year-old filly and female sprint champion Covfefe, the Allaire duPont Distaff (G3) with Mylady Curlin, second in the Black-Eyed Susan with Ulele, as well as third (Owendale) and fourth (Warrior's Charge) in the Preakness in the trainer's Triple Crown debut.

Cox has some excellent horses under consideration this year but said no final decisions have been made beyond Bonny South. The possibilities from his barn include Juliet Foxtrot for the Gallorette (G3), Mundaye Call for the Miss Preakness, and Landeskog in the Frank DeFrancis Memorial Dash (G3).

“I don't know if I'll have as many this year as last year,” he said, adding that the bonus doesn't impact running horses “but once you start running, you start watching. That's how it works out. But really, it comes down to whether the horse fits or not. We just had a really good weekend last year.”

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$100K Trainer Bonus Returns for Preakness Weekend

For the fourth consecutive year, the Maryland Jockey Club is offering the $100,000 Sentient Jet Trainer Bonus to horsemen that accumulate the most points during stakes races over GI Preakness S. weekend, Oct. 1-3 at Pimlico Race Course.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen captured the $50,000 prize in both 2017 and 2018 but finished second to Brad Cox in 2019.

Led by the 145th running of the Preakness, presented this year as the final jewel in a refashioned Triple Crown and a “Win and You”re In” qualifier for the Nov. 7 GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, a total of 15 Thoroughbred stakes, nine graded, worth $3.35 million will be contested over three days.

Trainers who run a minimum of five horses in the 15 stakes races during Preakness weekend will be eligible for bonus money, with $50,000 going to the trainer with the most points, $25,000 for second, $12,000 for third, $7,000 for fourth, $4,000 for fifth and $2,000 for sixth.

Points are accumulated for finishing first (10 points), second (seven), third (five) and fourth (three) and by having a starter (one) in each of Pimlico’s Thoroughbred stakes.

Included among the participating races: the GIII Chick Lang S. (Oct. 1); GIII Pimlico Special (Oct. 2); and in addition to the Preankess Oct. 3, races will included the GII Dinner Party S., Black-Eyed Susan S., GIII Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash, GIII Miss Preakness and GIII Gallorette S.

Nominations for all 15 Thoroughbred stakes close Thursday, Sept. 17. For the complete rundown of races, visit www.laurelpark.com

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$100,000 Trainer Bonus Returns For Pimlico’s Preakness Weekend

For the fourth consecutive year, the Maryland Jockey Club is offering the $100,000 Sentient Jet Trainer Bonus to horsemen that accumulate the most points during stakes races over Preakness weekend, Oct. 1-3 at Pimlico Race Course.

Led by the 145th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1), presented this year as the final jewel in a refashioned Triple Crown and a “Win and You”re In” qualifier for the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), a total of 15 Thoroughbred stakes, nine graded, worth $3.35 million will be contested over three days.

Points are accumulated for finishing first (10 points), second (seven), third (five) and fourth (three) and by having a starter (one) in each of Pimlico's Thoroughbred stakes.

Preakness weekend stakes action begins Thursday, Oct. 1 with the $200,000 Chick Lang (G3), $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint and $100,000 The Very One. The historic $250,000 Pimlico Special (G3) highlights a Friday, Oct. 2 card that also serves as Claiming Crown Preview Day.

Joining the $1 million Preakness this year is the 96th running of the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan for 3-year-old fillies. They are supported by the $250,000 Dinner Party (G2), $200,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G3), $150,000 Miss Preakness (G3), $150,000 Gallorette (G3), $150,000 Laurel Futurity, $150,000 Selima, $100,000 Skipat, $100,000 James W. Murphy, $100,000 Hilltop and $100,000 The Very One.

Nominations for all 15 Thoroughbred stakes close Thursday, Sept. 17.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen captured the $50,000 prize in both 2017 and 2018 but finished second to Brad Cox in 2019. Cox led the way with 36 points last year, three more than Asmussen, including running third and fourth, respectively, with Owendale and Warrior's Charge in the Preakness, Cox's Triple Crown race debut.

Cox won the Miss Preakness with eventual champion Covfefe in track-record time of 1:07.70 for six furlongs and the Allaire duPont Distaff (G3) with Mylady Curlin, and was second with Ulele in the Black-Eyed Susan. Asmussen picked up wins in the Pimlico Special with Tenfold and Maryland Sprint (G3) with New York Central, and was fifth in the Preakness with Laughing Fox.

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Point Of Entry Filly Emro Takes Untapable Stakes At Kentucky Downs

Kueber Racing's Emro, who won her debut at Ellis Park, ran her record to 2-for-2 in taking the $400,000 Untapable Stakes at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Ky., a race for 2-year-old fillies the daughter of Point of Entry captured in dominant fashion by 2 3/4 lengths over Taylor's Tourist after a strong stretch run from off the pace under Shaun Bridgmohan.

“I was very proud of her,” said winning trainer Brad Cox. “She's been training well, obviously. She got it done first time out, and we've been pointing for this since she broke her maiden. Very, very happy with the performance and Shaun did a good job.”

After breaking cleanly from the far outside post 11 in the 6 1/2-furlong race on the turf, Emro was reserved in sixth position by Bridgmohan down the hill, 7 1/2 lengths from the front, into the sweeping turn. As the bunched field turned for home, Emro was six wide and 4 1/2 lengths off the pace but made short work of her competition from there. She narrowly led with an eighth of a mile remaining and prevailed by 2 3/4 lengths going away over a course rated good.

“They looked like they were going a little quick and they were spread out around the turn,” said Cox, who on Saturday won the $1-million, Grade 3 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup with Arklow. “So I thought, well, they were going quick enough and we were laying in the middle of the pack, so I thought we were in a good spot. Then when she came off the turn, it looked like when Shaun asked her to pick it up, she wanted to duck in behind a horse. He straightened her up. She ran on, looks like she was clearing off and then she dropped back in. Obviously still green and has a lot to learn, but very talented filly that we think has a big future.”

The 7-1 fourth betting choice, Emro was timed in 1:16.31. Emro rocketed her earnings from $25,800 to $261,400 after adding the winner's share of $235,600. The final value of the race was $398,500.

“She ran very well, very talented filly,” Bridgmohan said. “She's 2 for 2. Last time she went to the lead. Today she came from off it. It shows her versatility. She ran a nice race.”

Taylor's Tourist, who was 10th and last at the first call under Florent Geroux, proceeded to pass every horse in the field but one. Behind her at the finish in third, beaten 5 3/4 lengths, was early pacesetter Fouzia, who was a neck better than Mad Maddy in fourth. Initial fractions were a torrid 21.48 seconds for the first quarter-mile and 45.15 seconds for four furlongs.

“She ran big,” Geroux said of Taylor's Tourist, who had won her debut by 9 3/4 lengths at Louisiana's Evangeline Downs. “She ran a pretty fast race first time out. But that was dirt. Now she switched to the turf, nobody really knew if she was going to like it. She's a very nice filly, galloped out strong. She was a little bit lost the first quarter-mile, couldn't get out and involved in the race. But she finished very nice.”

The top four were followed in order by Lady Edith, Lady Goldstart, 9-5 favorite Red Ghost, Herald Angel, Kewpie Doll and Becca's Bouquet. The field of 11 was effectively reduced to 10 when La Libertee stumbled badly leaving the gate, unseating Adam Beschizza.

“I'm fine,” Beschizza said back at the jockeys' room. As far as what happened, “I have no idea. Sometimes they don't catch themselves properly. She's a 2-year-old. She's a very sharp 2-year-old. She's always ready at any given moment. She probably rushed the start a little bit and couldn't catch any of her legs. Listen, she's got a bright little year ahead of her, what's left of it. She seemed to be unscathed, touch wood. She didn't go crazy running loose by herself.”

Payoffs were ample, with Emro rewarding her $2 backers $16.80 to win, $9.00 to place and $7.40 to show. Taylor's Tourist paid $21.20 and $14.60 to place and show, and Fouzia returned $8.40 to show.

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