HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Just about every person who trains racehorses will tell you that when they meet someone not familiar with racing and their profession comes up in conversation, the first question they’re asked is, “Have you ever won the Kentucky Derby?” Brad Cox said he’s not sure how to answer that. “It would take five minutes to explain,” he said this week. “I’m not sure I’d say yes.” Cox officially is the defending Kentucky Derby-winning trainer, his Mandaloun having been elevated to the top spot on the disqualification of Medina Spirit. But that’s on paper. “I don’t feel like we won the Derby because we didn’t get to experience it,” he said. “It’s one of the most prestigious races in the world. It’s the most prestigious race in America. We didn’t experience it. I want to have the thrill of it.” In that pursuit, Cox already has Zozos, the runner-up in the Louisiana Derby, set with the 40 points he earned last Saturday. Cox this Saturday will try to add to his potential Derby lineup when he sends out Cyberknife in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby here at Oaklawn Park. Cyberknife, a colt by Gun Runner, has been held in high regard by Cox, but his performances have been inconsistent. He owns two wins and two seconds in five starts, but in his lone stakes try, the Lecomte at Fair Grounds on Jan. 22, he finished a disappointing sixth. Blinkers were added for that race following a win against maidens at Fair Grounds in which Cyberknife showed immaturity, but the result was the worst performance of his career. The blinkers were removed for his most recent start, an allowance win at Fair Grounds in which Cyberknife put away his rivals and romped by three lengths while recording a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 87. Needless to say, the blinkers will remain off for the Arkansas Derby. To date, Cyberknife has shown a tendency “to get a little lost in a race,” Cox said; his immaturity resulted in disqualification from a victory in his debut for bumping a rival. Cox is hoping that with experience, Cyberknife is working his way out of those habits. The last race indicated he may be turning the corner. If so, Cox believes Cyberknife can take significant leaps forward. With the Kentucky Derby five weeks away, now would be an ideal time for that to happen. “I think he can be among the best 3-year-olds if he puts it together,” Cox said. “Hopefully running against better horses, the quicker pace will keep him engaged. When he sits with other horses, it’s like he gets a little lost. With better competition, hopefully he won’t duck and dive.” On Saturday, “we’ll see if he’s as good as we hoped,” Cox said. Cyberknife drew post 8 in the nine-horse Arkansas Derby. It will mark his first try at 1 1/8 miles after three straight races at 1 1/16 miles. This also will be his first start at Oaklawn, where he arrived this week after Fair Grounds closed. He had his final work at Fair Grounds on Saturday. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2022: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more Florent Geroux has ridden Cyberknife in his last three starts. Geroux also rode the unbeaten Arkansas Derby entrant We the People to his two victories. Geroux and his agent, Doug Bredar, chose to remain with Cyberknife, which may have been due in part to all the business they have with Cox, but Bredar said it was a tough decision regardless; he said he and Geroux think highly of both colts. Flavien Prat picked up the mount on We the People. Cox, 42, had his first Derby starters just last year, with Mandaloun crossing the wire second and Essential Quality fourth. But the two-time reigning Eclipse Award-winning trainer has had a lifelong fascination with the race, having grown up in Louisville. His first distinct memory of the race is from age 7, when Alysheba won. “I remember liking the colors. Blue and white diamonds,” he said, referencing the silks of Alysheba’s owners, Dorothy and Pamela Scharbauer. Alysheba’s win brought his trainer, Jack Van Berg, to tears. Color Cox eager to feel what Van Berg felt that day. ◗ Summer Is Tomorrow, runner-up in the United Arab Emirates Derby on Saturday, was one of seven horses announced on Wednesday as late nominees to the Triple Crown. Those seven, nominated for $6,000 by the deadline Monday, join the 314 who were nominated for $600 at the early deadline in January. The other six late nominees are Azure Coast, Bye Bye Bobby, O Captain, Shake Em Loose, Skippylongstocking, and Win the Day.