Remember that old television series where a mastermind stood in the background and orchestrated the action of three good-looking girls? Crime solvers they were as they thwarted evil with the greater good always in mind. Of course I am dating myself a bit with this reference, but Charlie’s Angels was the series. Recent happenings in the Thoroughbred racing game allows me to pull this reference out as we draw a little parallel. Let us expound upon the players in this 21st century equine rendition of that late 70’s show.
The calendar is about to turn to 2025, so of course the focus is now on the Kentucky Oaks and Derby. Award-winning Louisville native Brad Cox has been cast in the roll of Charlie. Having won the Kentucky Oaks twice already (2018 Monomoy Girl, 2020 Shedaresthedevil), this hard-working Thoroughbred trainer has three outstanding and unbeaten contenders for those lilies awarded to the fillies on the first Friday in May. Here is a quick glance at those angels residing in his barn.
The biggest wings right now belong to Immersive. Unbeaten in four career starts, three of those wins have come in grade 1 events. After breaking her maiden at Saratoga in July, this daughter of Nyquist scored in the grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga, grade 1 Darley Alcibades at Keeneland, and the grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar. The Breeders’ Cup win was extremely impressive as she was much the best in romping home 4 ½ lengths to the good.
Good Cheer joined the cast on November 30 with a 2 ½ length win in the Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs. After breaking her maiden at Horseshoe Indianapolis in August, this daughter of Medaglia d’Oro won her next two starts at Churchill Downs. Included in those runs beneath the twin spires was the Rags to Riches Stakes on October 27. That means this Godolphin-owned filly is now three-for-three at the home of the Kentucky Oaks.
The final member of the Cox trio of attractive young horses passed her screen test on December 7. Muhimma journeyed to Aqueduct and dropped on bomb on Pearl Harbor day with a gate to wire win in the grade 2 Demoiselle Stakes. This daughter of Munnings had displayed great promise in winning the first two starts of her career by a combined 13 lengths (7 ½, 5 ½). Her first try in Stakes competition validated the thoughts of her conditioner as to her quality.
“All three are very nice fillies,” says Cox “I would like to get two starts in each of them at age three before the Kentucky Oaks. Not exactly sure where we will run them just yet.”
As Charlie figures the plan for his Angels, the rest of us can simply sit back and enjoy the show.
