Trainer Brad Cox enjoying first New York winter
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Brad Cox seems to be winning races everywhere this winter and that includes Aqueduct, where he went 4 for 6 in January. This is the first winter in which Cox has maintained a string in New York.
“I was kind of on the fence whether to stay or go probably until November,” Cox said. “I’m glad we stayed. The horses are running well, doing well. We’ve been able to get the right races for them. It’s really worked out well.”
Cox seems to have made a terrific claim in Pioneer Spirit, who has won two of three starts since Cox took him for $35,000 for owner Steve Landers last October. Pioneer Spirit is one of the major players in a $72,000 allowance race here on Friday.
Cox, who now hopes to maintain a year-round presence in New York, said he has been sent several New York-breds including Gio d’Oro, a son of Gio Ponti who won his maiden in his fourth career start on Jan. 18. Cox said he is pointing that gelding to the $100,000 Gander Stakes for New York-breds going a mile on Feb. 18.
“He’s a horse we think could probably run on the grass as well,” Cox said. “He’s not a horse we’re looking to shorten up. A mile will suit him really well.”
