Covfefe one of two impressive debut winners for Cox

Trainer Brad Cox alerted Daily Racing Form readers that Covfefe and Unholy Alliance were both ready to win at first asking Sunday, and boy was he spot-on. Cox was thrilled with how they won within 33 minutes of one another in split divisions of a six-furlong maiden-special race for 2-year-old fillies (races 7 and 8). Both were ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan.

“There’s a whole lot that goes into performances like that,” said Cox. “I’m very grateful to the owners for the opportunity and my staff for their hard work.”

Covfefe ($3), an Into Mischief filly owned by LNJ Foxwoods, earned an 86 Beyer in winning by 9 1/4 lengths in 1:10.20. Unholy Alliance ($10.20), a gray First Samurai filly owned by e Five Racing, got a 72 Beyer in winning by three lengths in 1:11.22.

◗ Eskimo Kisses had her second breeze since her Aug. 18 victory in the Grade 1 Alabama, going a half-mile Saturday at Keeneland in 48 seconds. The 3-year-old daughter of To Honor and Serve will race next in the Grade 1 Spinster on Oct. 7 at Keeneland.

“We’ve just been getting some strong gallops into her, looking ahead to the Spinster and Breeders’ Cup,” said trainer Kenny McPeek. “She’s doing great.”

◗ Through the first three cards of the 11-day September meet, Corey Lanerie leads the jockey standings with five wins over Robby Albarado and Ricardo Santana Jr. (four each). Among trainers, Amoss leads with three wins over Brad Cox, Vicki Oliver, and Steve Asmussen (two each).

◗ A three-day buildup of $12,800 in the Single 6 jackpot (races 3-8) is among the attractions when Churchill starts a four-day race week with an eight-race Thursday card (first post, 5 Eastern). A $58,000 first-level allowance (race 2) that drew seven 2-year-old fillies will serve as the nominal feature.

◗ The $100,000 Dogwood for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday is the lone stakes here this coming weekend. Entries for the seven-furlong race will be drawn Wednesday.

◗ Jockey Joe Rocco Jr. will start a three-day suspension Saturday for his role in the disqualification of St. Denman from first to second in the last race Sept. 12 at Kentucky Downs. Rocco will serve the penalty through next Thursday (Sept. 27).