It could not be a giant weekend of stakes motion at Churchill Downs with out coach Brad Cox. Though he can be represented in solely three of the 11 stakes totaling $3.85 million in purses June 29-30, the Eclipse Award-winning coach nonetheless holds a powerful hand that emphasizes high quality over amount.
“I believe we’re set as much as have a giant weekend,” Cox mentioned. “I am lucky to be a part of three massive races.”
Cox’s massive horse of the weekend is Godolphin’s First Mission , who’s taking a pivotal step on the street to the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Traditional (G1) at Del Mar by racing within the $1 million Stephen Foster (G1).
“I believe he is one of many high horses within the division, there is not any doubt,” Cox mentioned. “I believed he was a grade 1 horse for a very long time, and he will get his alternative Saturday.”
Profitable Saturday would give First Mission an computerized berth within the $6 million Traditional due to the Breeders’ Cup’s “Win and You are In” program and set him up for confrontations down the street with a few of the nation’s greatest horses.
“I see Nationwide Treasure because the chief of the division, he deserves to be,” Cox mentioned of the three-time grade 1 winner. “I am wanting ahead, hopefully, to hooking up with him in some unspecified time in the future down the street if every part goes properly on Saturday.”
Cox has been down the Traditional path a number of instances, breaking by in 2021 with Horse of the Yr Knicks Go  . Cox will use the blueprint of Knicks Go’s Traditional-winning journey to information First Mission by the second half of the yr.
Knicks Go wins the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Traditional at Del Mar
Following a tough race within the Metropolitan Handicap (G1), Cox used the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) as a confidence booster for Knicks Go. He adopted up with victories within the Whitney (G1) and Lukas Traditional (G3) earlier than finally taking the $6 million prize.
First Mission doesn’t want a confidence booster, given his two-race win streak and victory Could 3 within the Alysheba Stakes (G2). Subsequently, the son of Road Sense  has a grade 1 alternative for the Cornhusker earlier than becoming a member of the Knicks Go path.
“If all was to go properly (within the Stephen Foster), the Whitney could be a logical spot,” Cox mentioned.
Cox mentioned he felt First Mission will seemingly want a race between the Aug. 3 Whitney and Breeders’ Cup. He referenced White Abarrio skipping a prep race between the 2 final yr as a doable path, however would lean extra towards a race just like the Lukas Traditional (G2).
“I might most likely convey him again to Churchill after Saratoga,” Cox mentioned. “We’ll work out if we want a race or not. If we did, I would not need to ship him very far with finally having to exit to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup.”
The Breeders’ Cup was additionally held at Del Mar when Knicks Go gained it. Cox mentioned he knew early on within the yr that Del Mar could be useful to Knicks Go’s working model to assist him get the 1 1/4-mile distance, however has little question about First Mission’s means to deal with 10 furlongs.
“(First Mission) does have tactical pace and might put himself within the race,” Cox mentioned. “I’m actually assured, based mostly off pedigree and the best way he is in a position to take heed to his rider and be forwardly positioned, he ought to be capable of deal with a mile and 1 / 4.”
Zozos’ Finish of Yr Objective Unsure As He returns to One-Flip Mile
Whereas First Mission’s eyes are clearly set on the Breeders’ Cup, the identical couldn’t be mentioned for Barry and Joni Butzow’s Zozos , who races Sunday within the $300,000 Hanshin Stakes.
Zozos wins the 2023 Ack Ack Stakes at Churchill Downs
The 5-year-old son of Munnings  appears to have discovered his area of interest on the mile distance, for which he’s 3-for-4. Nonetheless, that defeat was a lackluster fifth within the Breeders’ Cup Dust Mile (G1) at Santa Anita Park whereas going round two turns.
One-mile races at Churchill Downs are performed round one flip and have supplied a few of Zozos’ greatest performances, victories in the Knicks Go In a single day Stakes and Ack Ack Stakes (G3) final season.
“I do suppose he likes the one-turn mile. I believe his race right here within the Knicks Go was his greatest race up to now,” Cox mentioned. “I am not sure this horse likes two turns based mostly off what he confirmed us within the Dust Mile.”
Cox mentioned he was unsure on what which means for Zozos’ end-of-the-year targets, however mentioned a path that results in the one-turn Cigar Mile (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack in could be into consideration.
So far as what Cox expects on Sunday: “I believe you are going to get a giant effort from him. He appears to be doing properly, and he likes Churchill.”
Firmer Floor May Get Heavenly Sunday Again to Winner’S Circle
Earlier within the card Sunday, Cox will saddle Miacomet Farm’s Heavenly Sunday within the $175,000 Anchorage In a single day Stakes. A two-time graded stakes winner final yr at age 3, the Sweet Trip  filly is winless in two begins at 4 however has been shut every time.
Heavenly Sunday wins the 2023 Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Downs
“She’s been proper there, I am hoping she’ll have slightly bit firmer turf than she had in her final two runs,” Cox mentioned. “I do suppose she will deal with a mile and an eighth.”
Heavenly Sunday prompted the tempo final trip within the June 2 Mint Julep Stakes (G3T) and completed second, 1 3/4 lengths behind the Chad Brown-trained Delahaye .
“I believed her final race was actually good, she was simply second greatest,” Cox mentioned. “Our filly wasn’t touring in addition to I’d have favored going into the far flip. She confirmed her class to watch for second. If she will get agency turf, it may very well be a greater effort for her.”
