Cox stakes workers, led by Mandaloun, out in force

While Essential Quality, the leading 3-year-old in trainer Brad Cox's barn, had a quieter weekend after racing Feb. 27 in the Southwest, Mandaloun, the likely favorite March 20 in the Louisiana Derby, and Caddo River, who is aimed at the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn, had serious workouts on March 6.

Caddo River, who twice finished in front of Fountain of Youth winner Greatest Honour last year and won the Jan. 22 Smarty Jones, his 3-year-old debut, by more than 10 lengths, got an official time of 1:00.20 for five furlongs. Mandaloun, working in company with Dreamalildreamofu, was timed in 59.20 seconds. Cox said he caught both horses going a little faster on his watch and called the breeze from Mandaloun, who raced in blinkers for the first time winning the Feb. 13 Risen Star, “unbelievable, a Grade 1-kind of work.”

Travel Column, second as the favorite to Clairiere on Feb. 13 in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (those same two fillies are expected to meet in the March 20 Fair Grounds Oaks) also got an official time of 59.20 seconds for five furlongs. Travel Column worked with Australasia, the undefeated Louisiana-bred 3-year-old filly who will be heavily favored March 20 in the Crescent City Oaks.

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Shedaresthedevil, the 2020 Kentucky Oaks winner, on March 6 had her fourth work since resuming training following a winter break, going five furlongs in 1:00.20. Cox said the March 13 Azeri at Oaklawn “is in play” for Shedaresthedevil.

“We’ll make a decision on that Tuesday morning, entry day,” Cox said. “I’d still like to have a couple more weeks with her, but she’s a very good work horse who has come to hand really quick.”

Aunt Pearl, the best 2-year-old grass filly in North America during 2020, had her first timed work of the year March 6 when she went three furlongs in 36.80 seconds. Aunt Pearl, by Lope de Vega, won a Churchill maiden race, the Jessamine at Keeneland and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland by open lengths last season. She’s being aimed at the Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Downs in May with connections eyeing the Group 1 Coronation Stakes on June 20 at Royal Ascot.

“She breezed great first work back and had a really good winter,” Cox said.