Cox sending Zozos to La. Derby, Cyberknife to Ark. Derby

Zozos, an impressive Oaklawn Park allowance-race winner, will start March 26 in the $1 million Louisiana Derby. And Cyberknife, an impressive Fair Grounds allowance winner, will start April 2 in the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby.

Trainer Brad Cox hinted last week that would be his plan with these two Triple Crown hopefuls, and after both colts turned in Fair Grounds works over the weekend, Cox confirmed it Sunday.

Zozos, going in company with Masai Warrior, worked five furlongs Saturday in 59.60 seconds, fastest of 52 breezes at the distance. “He galloped out great,” Cox said. Zozos was a debut sprint winner at Fair Grounds before posting a 92 Beyer in a powerful two-turn performance Feb. 11.

Cyberknife, also working Saturday, went five furlongs in 1:00. Cyberknife was sixth, beaten more than 10 lengths, making his stakes debut in the Lecomte on Jan. 22, but was a sharp Feb. 19 route allowance winner. Cyberknife has raced erratically in many of his starts but improved last out and has continued maturing mentally. “He’s starting to get it,” said Cox.

Cox said there are no set plans for Warrant, who exited a career-best showing in the March 5 Santa Anita Handicap in good shape and has resumed training. Warrant, beaten a head by Express Train while earning a 104 Beyer, could wind up in the Oaklawn Handicap or the Alysheba at Churchill.

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Cox said he plans to give Fulsome his 4-year-old debut in the March 26 New Orleans Classic. Juddmonte Farms campaigns Fulsome and could have a couple notable Cox-trained comeback runners during the Keeneland meet in April. Grade 2 winner Set Piece is being pointed to the Maker’s Mark Mile on April 15, while Grade 2 winner Bonny South has as a target the April 22 Doubledogdare, a race she won in 2021.

◗ Pioneer of Medina, fourth-place finisher in the Risen Star, will return to Fair Grounds from Florida for the Louisiana Derby, trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed. Pletcher also plans to run Favor in the Fair Grounds Oaks and Promise Keeper in the New Orleans Classic.