Instant Coffee among four possible Louisiana Derby starters for Cox

Trainer Brad Cox still is sorting where to run a bevy of Fair Grounds-based Kentucky Derby hopefuls. Cox had three runners in the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds and figures to have at least that many in the March 25 Louisiana Derby there.

Angel of Empire, who won the Risen Star, probably won’t be among Cox’s Louisiana Derby starters. The Blue Grass at Keeneland on April 8 isn’t out of the question for Angel of Empire, but the April 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn seems the more likely spot, Cox said. Angel of Empire was second in the Smarty Jones there before upsetting the Risen Star at nearly 14-1.

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The Cox horse definite for the Louisiana Derby is Instant Coffee, winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club in November and the Lecomte in January. Instant Coffee has worked the last three Saturdays at Fair Grounds and is headed toward the Louisiana Derby in good shape, Cox said. Jace’s Road, Tapit Shoes and Tapit’s Conquest also are candidates for the Louisiana Derby, Cox said.

Fair Grounds racing officials as of Wednesday were listing a dozen horses as possible Louisiana Derby runners. Kenny McPeek on Wednesday confirmed he intends to start Sun Thunder and Denington. Sun Thunder was second in the Risen Star and Denington won a first-level allowance race on the Risen Star undercard. The horse Denington narrowly beat was Cagliostro, who also is targeting the Louisiana Derby. Also possible for the Louisiana Derby are Risen Star fifth-place finisher Single Ruler, Shopper’s Revenge, Baseline Beater, Curly Jack, Litigate and Kingsbarns.

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