Cox sentimental about Knicks Go's final work

Knicks Go, sure to be named Horse of the Year for 2021, had the last track workout of his career Sunday morning at Fair Grounds.

And, as always, it was a good one.

Knicks Go’s official work was recorded as 1:00.20 for five furlongs, but he also recorded robust gallop-out times of 1:13.20 for six furlongs and 1:26.60 for seven furlongs, a typically powerhouse breeze for him.

Monday, Knicks Go was to ship from New Orleans to South Florida and have his career finale in the Pegasus World Cup on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Knicks Go dominated the 2021 Pegasus, kicking off a campaign that ended in Breeders’ Cup Classic glory, but is expected to face a sterner challenge this year from Life Is Good.

“When he hit the wire, I said, ‘That’s the last work of his racing career,’ ” trainer Brad Cox said Sunday morning. “I’m excited but it’s bittersweet it’s coming to an end. He’s been very special to us.”

:: For the first time ever, our premium past performances are free! Get free Formulator now!

While Knicks Go is headed off to retirement, the Cox-trained 5-year-old mare Shedaresthedevil is gearing up for her 2022 campaign. Her Sunday morning exercise at Fair Grounds wasn’t fast enough to make the official work tab, but Shedaresthedevil stretched her legs for three furlongs or so as she gears up for her first workout since a sixth-place finish Nov. 6 in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Shedaresthedevil, by Daredevil, won the 2020 Kentucky Oaks and two more Grade 1’s during 2021, the La Troienne and the Clement Hirsch. After the Breeders’ Cup, she went through Fasig-Tipton Kentucky’s November auction and was purchased for $5 million, though her two owners at the time, Flurry Racing and Qatar Racing, retained a half-interest in Shedaresthedevil, with Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm acquiring the other half-interest.

“She’s been here a couple weeks; we just let her stretch her legs a little bit,” Cox said. “She looks unbelievable.”

:: Get Daily Racing Form Past Performances – the exclusive home of Beyer Speed Figures

Shedaresthedevil made her first start last year winning the Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park over Letruska, the certain older female champion of 2021, and Cox described the March 12 Azeri as a “very realistic goal” for Shedaresthedevil’s first start this season. Her connections are eyeing as a primary target the $1 million Apple Blossom on April 23.

Cox sent out Grade 1 winner Mandaloun to impressively win his 4-year-old debut Saturday in the Louisiana Stakes and his stable includes other, lower-tier 4-year-old stakes horses of note. Warrant finished a decent third in the Louisiana and would be competitive in a race like the Mineshaft Stakes on Feb. 19 at Fair Grounds. Fulsome, while not top-class at age 3, had a stronger 2021 campaign than Warrant and, like Shedaresthedvil, is expected to have his first workout next weekend at Fair Grounds.