Tawny Port gives Brad Cox 3rd Kentucky Derby hopeful

LEXINGTON — By the point he saddled Tawny Port for Saturday afternoon’s $400,000, Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, Brad Cox knew the horse was safely within the discipline for the Kentucky Derby.

However the Louisville coach nonetheless had a query concerning the horse’s means on a mud floor, as Tawny Port was a profitable 2-1-0 in three begins on the Tapeta floor at Turfway Park however had completed fifth in his solely begin on grime within the Grade 2 Risen Star at Honest Grounds.

Tawny Port answered with authority, making a four-wide transfer on the ultimate flip and profitable by a size over Main Basic to seal his spot as Cox’s third contender within the Could 7 Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.

“It’s been an excellent previous couple of weeks with our Derby horses and their preps,” Cox stated. “I wasn’t stunned this horse ran nicely immediately. These horses do appear to run nicely off artificial.”

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Ridden by Florent Geroux, Tawny Port lined the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.24 and paid $12.20 to win because the 5-1 second selection on the tote board. Main Basic completed second, 1 ½ lengths forward of favored In Due Time.

Tawny Port began the day ranked No. 20 on the Kentucky Derby factors record — the highest 20 qualify for the race — however moved up a spot when coach Doug O’Neill introduced Sunland Derby winner Gradual Down Andy was sick and would skip the Run for the Roses.

Cox heard the information however selected to maintain Tawny Port within the Lexington.

“We’d deliberate for it and ready him for it, and (proprietor) John Fort needed to run,” Cox stated. “It is a good race — a $400,000 graded stake for 3-year-olds at Keeneland. It’s an ideal race, and we’re very joyful to win it.”

Main Basic set the early fractions of 23.85 seconds for the quarter-mile, 48.01 seconds for the half-mile and 1:12.45 for 3 quarters as Strava — educated by Dallas Stewart and co-owned by former College of Louisville basketball coach Denny Crum — chased proper behind.

Geroux and Tawny Port started to select off horses getting into the far flip earlier than rallying down the stretch.

“I beloved the aggressive trip from the beginning,” Cox stated of Geroux. “Let him settle going up the bottom. Clearly continued to be somewhat huge going into the far flip. With the quick stretch right here, you possibly can’t get a horse stopped. It’s a must to have your momentum turning for residence, and Florent did an excellent job of that and gave him an ideal trip.”

In Due Time earned 4 qualifying factors for his third-place end and now ranks No. 22 on the factors record with 24. Fourth-place Ethereal Highway ranks No. 23 with 22 factors. Each would want defections to make the Kentucky Derby discipline.

“We’ll regroup and see what (the homeowners) say,” In Due Time coach Kelly Breen stated concerning the Derby.

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Cox has no such worries, as he has three horses headed for the Run for the Roses with Tawny Port, Arkansas Derby winner Cyberknife and Louisiana Derby runner-up Zozos. He acquired his first Derby victory final 12 months with Mandaloun, although it got here by default after first-across-the-line Medina Spirit was finally disqualified.

Tawny Port, a son of Pioneerof the Nile, entered the Lexington off a second-place end behind Tiz the Bomb within the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks on April 2 at Turfway.

Geroux stated he inspired Cox to present the horse one other likelihood on grime after his fifth-place end within the Risen Star.

“Straight away I instructed Brad that was a sneaky good race,” Geroux stated. “I actually thought he completed with loads of vitality, and I’m glad Brad saved that in thoughts and gave him one other strive on the grime, particularly on the Derby. For my part, I feel he’s a horse that deserves an opportunity to start out within the Kentucky Derby.”

Cox stated Geroux is dedicated to Cyberknife for the Kentucky Derby and can affirm jockeys for Zozos and Tawny Port within the coming weeks.

Geroux stated “hopefully, I’ll decide the best one” earlier than being instructed Cox had confirmed his dedication to Cyberknife.

“He stated that?,” Geroux stated with amusing. “He’s a humorous horse to deal with to be trustworthy. I’d say Brad is sort of joyful I’m dedicated to him as a result of he is aware of he’s not the simplest to throw one other jockey on high of. …

“I’d say Brad is in an ideal spot. I’m in a great spot, too. Very joyful.”

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.