KY Racing Spotlight for 3/1/24

Tired of jumping from job to job?

How about a career in a recession proof industry where

you can make a difference and help create a healthier living

and working environment. The pest management industry

gives you the opportunity to work with more independence.

OPC Pest Services will give you a chance to grow with

advancement. Come be a part of our team at

OPC Pest Services. Apply online at

opcpest.com/careers. That's OPC pest.com/careers.

Where do you go to find all your favorite wine, beer and spirits

with selections customized to local tastes?

For over 25 years that Go to place has been Cox's Spirit

Shop, Cox's Louisville's Go To Liquor Store.

Welcome to the Kentucky Racing Spotlight with Louis Rabeau

presented by the Kentucky HPA. Now here's Louis Rabeau.

Hi, Welcome in to this week's edition of the Kentucky Racing

Spotlight with Louie Robot. I am your host Louie Robot at

Radio Louie on Twitter. You can find this station at

ESPN 680 and of course the show at KY Racing Spotlight.

All of those on Twitter, Come find us.

Come follow us. You can find us on Facebook.

All the socials come hang out with us.

We want to be the community show here in the Commonwealth.

We are presented by the Kentucky HBPAKYHBP a.com.

Great advocacy. Tons of options for all the

horse folks here in the Commonwealth that around the

country for sure with the national HBP as backing as well.

Like I said I'm Louis Rabeau. In this show we will talk with a

bunch of people. I've already interviewed 3 folks

for this show which is fantastic.

Up next we'll be jockey Keith Asmussen.

How about that road lemon muffin 2A win in the honeybee Great at

stakes. She breaks her maiden something

like 37 to one for the coach. I I really encourage people to

listen to that interview and listen to his passion for horse

racing. It's pretty rare that you get to

meet someone in life, and not just in horse racing, but in

life, who grows up in an industry and loves it as much as

Keith does. Talks about his daddy, talks

about his grandparents, he talks about getting to ride for the

coach, you hear the admiration in his voice when talking about

the coach. That I think is pretty unmatched

and it's a really, really fun interview with Keith.

We talk Xbox, we talk all kinds of things.

As part of that, we talk about Texas going to the SEC.

I mean, goodness gracious, just a fantastic interview.

I hope everyone enjoys that one. Then of course, no introduction

needed. Brad Cox joins us after that.

He's got horses all over the country tomorrow and tonight,

frankly, in the Cincinnati trophy.

And so we talk to him, how about those entries, what his thought

process is of getting all of these different, very high

quality horses on the best possible path to the Kentucky

Derby. And my dark horse for at least

starting in the Kentucky Derby comes up in that interview.

And Brad does confirm that that's a horse that he'll be

starting in the Ruby. You'll have to stick around for

that. That's a radio tease.

How about that little professionalism on the Kentucky

racing spotlight? And finally he would go to

Caitlin free from Turfway Park. She'll help handicap both the

Cincinnati Trophy and the Battaglia up there today.

If you missed my show earlier today, we're Bow and Co here on

681057. The 11:00 hour we went to Long

Island at 11 with our guy Matthew DeSantis.

At 11:20 we went out to LA to talk San Felipe with my friend

John Lindo from Thoroughbred LA. So if you want to catch any of

those, you can do that. And on the horse racing happy

hour last night we talked with Brian Nadeau down to Gulfstream

Park. Massive day, of course down

there, circled around that fountain of youth as part of the

Derby Trail as well. But look folks, we're here,

we're here, We're at the end of the 50 point races with the

Tampa Bay Derby next week. We are closing in on the very

highest point of the Kentucky Derby trail and it's qualifying

races and that's when we get to 100 point races in a couple of

weeks. But to this point, we finally

got one of those horses coming off a layoff to do what we

assumed he was capable of doing. That was Timberlake in the Rebel

and he gets it done. And I wasn't too sure after

watching a fierceness after watching on the Oaks trail a

live talk both of which ran to Gulfstream Park.

I didn't know if they would come back well.

And then the week before we got Sierra Leone came back in the

risen star looked great and this week we get Timberlake and I I'm

a I'm high on both because I to me those were both just get them

off the bench, get them in a get them in a starting gate get them

a race kind of races and they both won.

And I talked about Sierra Leone on this show before.

And I wonder if, you know, once in a while you'll hear

especially from the handicapping Bros or maybe he wasn't totally

cranked for that race, maybe he wasn't totally keyed up for that

one. And I think we've got a couple

of horses that, if they stay healthy, will be in the starting

game for the Kentucky Derby that only know 1 speed and that's

Sierra Leone, That's Timberlake. I think they only know one way

to run. They only know I'm going to go

win. I love that about young horses.

When there's a young horse that doesn't want to be a pack

animal, that doesn't mind being out front, give me that all day

long. And I think we got it with both

of those guys. And I think Timberlake's an

interesting cultural question too.

This Derby 150 you need a major celebrity for for riders up

does. It's going to be May Justin

Timberlake show up for the first Saturday in May.

I don't know. I think it's an important

question. Let's start the campaign now,

people, right here on the Kentucky racing spotlight.

Can we get Justin Timberlake in to follow Timberlake?

Can they sell him 1% of the horse or something?

I think that's a great idea by the way, if you're listening

ownership group, there's a free idea from your buddy Louie.

But the trail heats up this weekend and we're going to have

a lot of fun with it. The race down to Florida is a

fascinating one. We should start there.

I think it's a a fair place to start the conversation out of

Gulfstream Park for the fount of youth.

Like I said, we had Brian Nadeau on yesterday.

We talked about lots of different horses in this field.

We get another one of those horses coming off the layoff in

door knock. Now a couple of years ago we had

a race in the Kentucky Jockey Club here at Churchill Downs

across the street that ended up being a fantastic predictor of

success in the three-year old year for three horses.

The winner smile happy. Then of course Classic Causeway

who went on to win the Belmont Derby Invitational on the turf

grade one, and a little horse named Whiteabario who came

around and actually won this race, the fountain of Youth.

And look, I I think we're looking at a Remsen from

December in the mud at Aqueduct. And I think we're going to say

the same thing when we get with all things that are said and

done at the end of this three-year old campaign that

that stretch duel between door knock and Sierra Leone.

I think we'll end up going down as the moment in 2023 that gave

way to great Colts in 2024. And I think door knock does get

it done in South Florida for training Danny Gargan.

Now this is another one of those horses I'm hearing.

Oh no, no, he's not. He's not going to be keyed up.

This isn't his race yet. A little tired of hearing that

and so I'm going to look past that.

The one I have heard that might not be totally turned up is

locked and his running style with that short stretch reminder

short stretch at Gulfstream Park tomorrow.

That closing style might not work at Gulfstream Park, but we

said that last year and Forte came rolling through in this

race to win it. Hidlock looked like Forte last

year for sure. Given who his dad is and Gun

Runner who his grandfather is on his mom's side in Malibu Moon,

he absolutely can. All the breeding makes sense in

this case, but let's look around.

Who else could do something here?

I'm fascinated by Real Macho, who's coming out of A1 Turn Mile

Race at Gulfstream Park. Didn't run well before that in

an optional claimer, but ran well last time.

He's the son of Mucho Macho Man. They bred the horse for 4500

bucks and he's already made 68 grand.

He's won twice in his life, one last time in an optional claimer

going a mile. His one try going two turns

didn't go well, but he ran behind change of command in

Cardinale. Both of those horses have come

back and run really well, interested to see if Real Macho

under Tyler Gaffa Leone is ready to go.

And then you have the two horses that we don't know quite what's

going to happen with them, but we know how they're going to

run. And that is the number one

Speakeasy under Irad Ortiz for Todd Pletcher and Victory Ave.

the three for John Velazquez and Gustavo Delgado.

When I talked with Brian last night, I asked him, I said,

what? What are you doing here?

He makes the morning lines at Gulf St.

Park. I said, what are you doing here?

Host Victory Ave. who lost the race 4 to 1 and Speakeasy, who

won the race 9 to 2. And he said, hey, it's Gulf St.

Park, man. People love Gustavo Godado

Delgado, and my job is to try to predict how people are going to

bet. I'm fascinated by Speakeasy.

They made the announcement today.

He's staying in the race. He's Triple Crown nominated.

He's the son of Constitution. Harlan's holiday on the damn

side. I am fascinated by this horse.

There may be no trainer in the country.

I trust. With all respect to Brad Cox, he

will be out of this show in about 20 minutes to place his

horses in these kinds of spots. That Todd Pledger, he does a

fantastic job and stretching horses out.

He's as good as anyone, really, really interested to see him.

I love that they're leaving Victory Ave. in here.

They think a lot of this horse. They paid almost $400,000 for

him. They obviously think a lot of

them. I'll be interested to see him on

the track as well tomorrow, but I do think door knock ends up

firing. I think he'll be he'll be just

fine. If Speakeasy can keep that, keep

his legs underneath him with that short stretch, I think

he'll be a problem tomorrow as well.

From the rail, because they have no choice.

Irad's got no choice. That horse cannot fall behind in

a substantive way and expect to rally in its first time going

two turns. I just don't think it's

realistic. So I think you'll see that horse

go. They'll send them and that'll be

done. The Gotham is tomorrow and like

I said at 11:00 we had Matthew DeSantis on from Naira on the

show. If you want to go back and

listen to that. He really likes Bergen in this

race, which is the Brad Cox trainee who won last out in the

mud going 6 furlongs. A reminder, this race is a one

mile turn up in Aqueduct and a lot of you hear Brad Cox talk

about in a couple minutes. A lot of trainers like this

option for their horses who they feel just aren't quite ready to

go. Two turns and Bergen's one of

those horses ran at six for a longest.

Broke his maiden first ask at Keeneland as the favorite, came

back at Churchill Downs in an optional Claimer, Ran second

under Flavian Pratt and then one last out off the layoff at

Aqueduct comes into this race. Does Bergen off of that race

Second off the layoff, which is the best angle that Brad Cox

has, 31% second off. So that's why Mike, or excuse me

that Matthew really likes him. Just a touches in here as well.

Or Brad Cox who ran on the slop at fairgrounds.

It's going to be a wet day in New York.

I in a weird way I think you could use the 2 Brad Cox horses

here and move on with the rest of your card there in New York.

The Butcher's an interesting race too and that's the Oaks

Prep in New York tomorrow. Jin Jin's back in Jody's Pride

is coming off the layoff for Jorge Abreu.

Matthew pointed out to us earlier, Abreu's numbers coming

off of this kind of layoff with horses is atrocious.

Recently lean on Brad Cox in that race as well.

In my opinion, Jin Jin and I think he'll be OK to go.

Last one is the San Felipe out at Santa Anita and three, Bob

Baffert's and I talked to John Lindo this morning.

Honorable and Co and I tried to make the case for scatify

running second and getting some kind of Derby points out of this

and he wasn't convinced. So there's a chance we go

Baffert 123 in this and the Derby points simply don't matter

for the San Felipe. And my dilemma that I described

a couple of weeks ago on this show continues.

I just want to see the best horses at the Derby and Simply

put Nicos is the best 3 year old right now going two turns on

dirt and it'll be a shame that he's going to continue to rack

up victories. And I fully expect him to lead

off the late pick five on Sunday since they've moved to back big

cap day, back one day to be a single in that pick five to open

but could scatify jump up under Hector Barrios and get second

get some points with the Derby. I don't know yet, but

essentially because Nicos is out there, man, that's your chance.

You got to start compiling points if you're going to get

off that California trip. When we come back, we will talk

with Keith Asmussen. You know the last name, but do

you know Keith? He was aboard Lemon Muffin in

the Honeybee. I asked him if he's allowed

himself to to dream about being in that winner's circle for the

Kentucky Oaks and I also asked him how he feels about Texas

joining the SEC since he's a proud long home alone again.

We're presented by the Kentucky HPPAKY hppa.com.

Go check out all their stuff at their website.

Big fans of the folks over there at all the work they do for

horsemen and horse women around the Commonwealth.

I believe we were both. This is the Kentucky Racing

spotlight. We'll be right back here on ESPN

681057. Taking care of your family isn't

always easy, so we make sure getting care when you need it is

with Baptist Health, Urgent and Virtual Care.

We bring you more options and greater convenience too, with

video visits available 24/7 and online.

Check in through my chart for in person visits.

To check in online or to set up a video visit, go to

baptisthealth.com/careanywhere when it's time to replace your

heating and air system. We know people want options.

That's why you'll always get a free second opinion with BJ

heating and cooling. Plus, for a limited time, get 0%

financing for 60 months on a new Bryant system.

All the experts you can trust that BJ heating and cooling.

Welcome back to the Kentucky Racing Spotlight on ESPN 680 and

105.7. Now here is Louis Rabeau.

Hi, welcome back in. This is the Kentucky Racing

Spotlight with Louis Rabeau here on ESPN 681057.

I am Louis Rabeau. You can find us on Twitter at KY

Racing Spotlight. Of course you can find this

station ESPN 681057 on Twitter at ESPN 680.

Really pleased to bring in Keith Asmussen from down there at Oak

Lawn Park. A quote UN quote.

Day off, Keith. First off, hello and 2nd, What's

a day off on a Thursday like for Keith Asbusle?

Oh, recharging the batteries. You're excited to be here.

And thank you for having me, Louis.

Yeah, no problem. What does recharging the

batteries mean? Do you sleep till 4:30 instead

of four? Is that how that works?

No, still plenty busy in the morning, getting on as many

horses as possible and talking to trainers, but for the most

part, the afternoons or kind of just lounging.

Love playing Xbox, Love watching replays.

But it's not like I'm. All right.

So out doing a lot, I I'm more so just preparing for the

weekend. All right, So what is Keith

Asmussen's Go to Xbox game, then?

Like, what are we doing here? Are you an RPG guy?

Are you playing sports? What?

What's Keith Asmussen doing on Xbox?

I know that was like my first big purchase.

I got a new Xbox, so I'm definitely it's it's a cool way

to keep in touch with my friends back home and you just.

Yeah, no, I People forget the social aspect that you could

just throw on a headset. You're anywhere in the world

with your buddies playing a game, for sure.

Keith Asmussen here with us on the Kentucky Racing Spotlight on

ESPN 681057. Look, it's it's rare, Keith,

that the public gets to watch someone have the kind of

transcendent moment you had the other day with Lemon Muffin

winning the honey bee steaks at Oak Lawn.

Not an expected winner on all of the numbers I saw.

I, I, I hope you find this funny.

But I saw a comment on one of our social media platforms as

far as the show is concerned. That said, you couldn't have

picked that horse on a Ouija board, which I love.

I love that kind of line, man. What did that feel like?

What is what's the moment like you're walking.

You're you're riding into the gate.

You're there. Do you think you have a shot or

the instructions are, hey, go win the race?

Or are they like, hey, just get us some points here for the

Kentucky hoax. Just going to the race, kind of

how the racetrack have been playing, the coach told me.

You know put her in the race, you're going to have to be

close. Looking at the previous races

and I mean loading in the gate, I had the world of confidence in

her. I had ridden her before and then

Nick wrote her the second time and her two maiden races.

I know, being shorter but lost two, you know pretty impressive

Phillies and Tonya Showers and blue Squaw and had always

thought very highly of her and I mean never doubt the coach.

I I I was so excited to stretch her out.

But it it won't exactly an easy spot.

Yeah, so four times she had run second in maiden races coming

into that race. What is it when you're and talk

us through this? Because this is something

obviously with my frame that I'll never get to do, which is

jockey a horse during one of these kinds of races.

When do you feel the horse? When the light goes on for a

horse like that, when when she turns the corner there and it's

lemon muffin and you realize you've got plenty of horse to

win the race, what's that moment like for you as the jock the.

Greatest feeling in the world is beyond description.

In perfect example and her down the backside she relaxed

beautifully and I kind of like described it as riding a wave,

like I felt like I had a ton of horse.

She had settled very comfortably and, you know, going around the

turn at 3/8, she was begging me to push the button and I just

had the world of confidence on top of her as far as like the

feelings after the race. Cloud Nine, it's, you know,

winning a great stake. It's riding horses at that level

is kind of the reason why you would want to do it.

It's riding horses of that caliber and you would be able to

do it. I don't think I've slept a

combined two hours since, you know.

I've just been so excited and to be able to do it for the coach,

it's all the more sentimental. So you you keep mentioning the

coach and I appreciate that. Keith Asmussen here with us on

the Kentucky Racing Spotlight presented by the Kentucky HBPA.

You talk about the coach and you're a guy who grew up around

the game. I'll, I'll be fully transparent

with you, Keith. I didn't get into horse racing

until I was in my 30s essentially and it it's a game

that I've come to really enjoy and really obviously I do this.

So I really care about it very deeply.

But you grew up around it, obviously with your with your

father and and with your family. Was the coach part of your

upbringing? We see one of those guys that

you you knew as a kid. Someone you always admired and

respected. But as far as a personal

relationship, I don't think it really developed until, you

know, I was working for him and I I think that's helped so much.

Being able to interact with the horsemen of his caliber

literally changed the game and made it what it is today.

And to be able to work with a horseman like that, that, I

mean, his understanding makes me look like an ice cube and he

eats an iceberg or something like that.

To be able to work for and be around someone like that is

incredibly special. Have you started to let

yourself? So we had John Ennis on the show

last week, trainer John Ennis, and he's got a horse, obviously,

in the Battaglia Turfway tomorrow and is is starting to.

I asked him. Are you starting to allow

yourself to dream about being in the Kentucky Derby winner's

circle, man? Have you thought about that with

Lemon Muffin and the Kentucky Oaks?

Oh, absolutely. Even before lemon muffin, it's

kind of what you aspired, the level you aspire to be at there.

You go what is the what is the aspect of the job?

And Keith Asmussen with us jockey obviously just won the

Oaks Prep and the Honey Bee down at Oak Lawn Park with lemon

muffin. What is the thing about being a

jockey that no one sees, that you love, that you get to do?

Something that no one sees is the feel.

I mean, I I would do it if they paid me in bottle caps because

there's there's no feeling like riding a thoroughbred racehorse

at full flight. It's that that simple.

And I always describe it as like it's impossible to describe.

It's such a profound feeling being able to ride a horse.

It's like, I try not to take it for granted, but it's something

like you take a step back and you think about you're like,

wow, this is this is really incredible.

Like I'm riding a 11 hundred 1200 LB animal running 40 miles

an hour, just communicating with my hands.

Like I keep saying, incredible sorry.

But I've been lucky enough to grow up around it my entire life

since, like my earliest memories are at the racetrack, having

grown up in Arlington, TX right by Lone Star Park.

And I was always, you know, infatuated with the profession

of a jockey. I always thought it was very

beautiful and that, you know, race riding can be like an art

form. And I I was just always amazed

by it. And I I feel really lucky I'm

able to do it. Your dad won 63 races as a

jockey. You've since blown past that

number. Do you do you bring that up when

you need to with Steve? No, it it was a it was a very

important mark to get towards. It meant a lot to a lot of my

family members, him and I especially.

He's been my my biggest mentor, We're my biggest coach, my

biggest supporter and I'm sure he felt a lot of pride in me

passing that mark, as did I. Oh, that's fantastic.

All right. Well, I'm.

I was trying to make a joke and Keith made it.

A nice family moment. I like that.

How about that? A little little family moment on

the Kentucky racing spotlight? I like that.

I. Was trying to be too emotional,

but. No, that's fantastic, man.

I love it. You know, so your dad goes from

from riding to training, and I don't want to forecast too far

into your future, but do you see yourself eventually doing that

kind of thing? Or do you think that you know

you're going to try to make as much of A career out of being a

jockey as you can? Probably make as much of A

career out of being a jockey as I can.

I'm, you know, so in love with the profession and I plan on

doing it until it doesn't make sense.

I wouldn't count out training because I do really love being

around the horses in the backside, but I I don't think

I'm limited or to that one thing.

How do you like living in Hot Springs?

I love it. The weather's really turning

off. It's about springtime and it's

oh, it gets so beautiful here. My friend Matt Dinnerman is now

calling the races there and I was so worried that California

guy was going to get there and boy, just be a fish out of

water. But he has discovered very

quickly the passion around that place and how much people in Hot

Springs really do care about racing.

Can you? I don't know how much you've

interacted with Matt, but if you have, can you kind of talk about

Matt? I know he's huge on being out

there in the mornings and meeting people and meeting the

horses and doing those things and just sort of the general

feel around Hot Springs about horse racing.

Exactly. That's what I was going to say

about Matt. He seems very involved and very,

you know, interested in the happenings and the horses in the

backside and the culture. And I I absolutely love being

here. The I mean the the population

here is very interested in the sport and huge supporters and

being able to run at Oak Lawn is very special.

I've like the caliber of horses and connections and in addition

to the crowd it's it's very exciting environment.

Keith Asmussen with us. He is a jockey down there right

now, currently at Oak Lawn Park, was on lemon muffin and the

honeybee. He obviously got her starting

spot as a result of that effort in the Kentucky Oaks here on the

1st Friday in May across the street at Churchill Downs.

Boy, where do I want to go with this next question?

I am, I'm trying to be trying to be on point here with you,

Keith, but look, you, you go to Texas, you get your degrees, you

do all those things. How?

How supportive have your parents been of your decision to be a

jockey and stay in 3rd Rd. racing?

When I first started riding in 2020, it was just kind of the

product of COVID and all my classes went online.

I went to work for Darren Fleming, my father's assistant

here in Hot Springs, and before then I'd only ever galloped

horses for months, two months stints, maybe summer vacations,

spring breaks, Christmas vacations.

A little before high school. And it it hadn't really been

that long of a period that I've been galloping, and I I'd always

wanted to be a jockey. It's hard not to be around the

racetrack and not want to be a jockey, but it wasn't until

COVID where that was a possibility and I approached my

parents, asked them. When I first started, I just

wanted to ride a race to know what it was like and to be able

to experience and something no one can take away from you and

you know, did well. But before I'd ever started

riding, my parents made me promise that I would go back to

school and finish. And so I had that summer at Lone

Star, a weekend at Remington, and when school started back up,

I had to stick to my promise. And I I hung up my tack and I

went back to school for two years and I got my degree, and

when I graduated, it was still on the forefront of my mind, to

say the least. And I immediately after I

graduated, I went to the backside with the intention of

doing that. And I've just always been

upfront intentional with my parents and they've supported me

all the way. Are you an annoying Texas

person? And do you like the Sarkeesian

Extension I? Do I?

I I was. Scared when you're going to lose

them to Alabama? Yeah, sure.

There you go. No, I get a little, little

playoff with him and move. Do you like the move to the SEC?

I got to ask you the sports station here, buddy.

Oh, absolutely. With the.

I mean the evolution of what college football is now, it's

all about, I mean viewership and what you can give to the players

and stuff. So I it's definitely a a logical

transition. All right, we have a new career

goal for you, Keith Asmussen, Are you ready?

Let's hear it all. Right.

So like sometime at like 1231, o'clock 2:00 on a Saturday in

the fall, you win a race at Keeneland and then that night

you go to the Texas, Kentucky game at Commonwealth Stadium.

What do you think about? That doesn't get better than

that A. Little double Headed for Keith

Asmussen? How about that?

Whip up on uki. Love that.

Well, there you go. That's fantastic.

He is Keith Asmussen. Keith, If people wanted to find

you, what's the best way to go find Keith Asmussen?

Social media is Keith ASM 7 and Twitter.

There you go. Go find him on Twitter.

Do you do you read the comments or not?

Sometimes it's funny, I ride a bad race.

I I I don't go looking for them. Do you find horse racing Twitter

to be overall an OK place, or do you find it to be a negative

place? I'm actually legitimate 'cause I

know where I am in it all. I I don't matter.

I'm just a guy who watches the races, but I'm not riding the

horses in the races. What's it like for you?

Are are you able to to turn off the the comments there?

Yeah, but I mean, I appreciate it.

It's kind of, it's kind of like any sport.

It's what you get paid for. People didn't care.

You wouldn't get paid. Like I I think it's cool.

People are that opinionated and that involved.

I mean horse racing is originally from a difference of

opinion. My horse is faster than yours.

No it's not. And so I I think it's just part

of it. I don't, I don't think it's

negative or anything. I I think it's cool.

People get excited about their opinions and it is a a sport

that's you know, driven by wagering and so I can understand

that. When will you be back riding in

Kentucky, do you think? I will probably stay for the

duration of the Oaklawn meet. OK, there you go.

Well, if you got the mounts, you got the mounts.

His name is Keith Asmussen. You can find him on Twitter.

Go find him in all the spots. Be nice to him on Twitter.

Your guy Louis told you to be nice.

Be nice. All right folks.

Thank you Keith for joining us here on the Kentucky Racing

Spotlight and a a bunch of safe trips this weekend.

Oh, thank you Louis. Thank you for having me all.

Right, Keith Asmussen with us. We will take a break now.

When we come back, his name is Brad Cox.

He needs no introduction. We'll talk to him next here on

the Kentucky Racing Spotlight presented by the Kentucky HBPA.

Tired of jumping from job to job?

How about a career in a recession proof industry where

you can make a difference and help create a healthier living

and working environment. The pest management industry

gives you the opportunity to work with more independence.

OPC Pest Services will give you a chance to grow with

advancement. Come be a part of our team at

OPC Pest Services. Apply online at

opcpest.com/careers. That's OPC pest.com/careers.

Where do you go to find all your favorite wine, beer and spirits

with selections customized to local tastes?

For over 25 years that Go to place has been Cox's Spirit

Shop, Cox's Louisville's Go To Liquor Store.

Welcome back to the Kentucky Racing Spotlight on ESPN 680 and

105.7. Now here's Louis Robot.

Hi, welcome back in 3rd segment already of the Kentucky Racing

Spotlight with Louis Robot. I'm Louis Robot at Radio Louie

on Twitter. You can find our station at ESPN

680 and of course this show at KY Racing Spotlight on Twitter

as well. Next guy on the show here needs

no introduction. His name is Brad Cox and

Mandaloon is the official Kentucky Derby winner.

I can't believe we're getting this interview this week.

Kidding. How does it Brad?

How does it feel? Man, that's got to be a a weird

saga, but at least it's over. Huh.

Yeah. Yeah.

I honestly, there's really no feeling at all with it.

I mean it's one of those deals where you know just kind of glad

it's over with and you know it's not like winning the Kentucky

Derby obviously with being put up.

So I think the biggest thrill was winning the Kentucky Derby

would be the experiencing the thrill of Victor and crossing

the water first. So you know we we feel like we

we have a lot of work left to do there in order to try to win a

Derby the right way. But you know, nevertheless it's

it's kind of behind us hopefully now and we can turn the page.

I got to say, for people listening, we just had a

wonderful moment where we had a bit of a tech issue here at the

station and I could just hear Brad working with which horse

are you working and where on the planet are you, right?

Now, right now I'm in Louisville, I'm very close to

you. I'm at the trackside training

center in here in Louisville, just kind of trying a little bit

later here and we're just kind of going over some horses and

watch him trot up and down the road for soundness.

Seem so sound or not. But yeah, he's kind of keeping

it, keeping it going, trying to multitask, which I'm not very

good at. So hopefully I can get through

this interview with you. Well, that's all right.

Brad Cox with us here on the Kentucky Racing Spotlight.

I'm Louie Rebeau. Thanks for making us part of

your horse racing weekend. You've got horses in a lot of

different places this weekend. Brad, up in Aqueduct, obviously

a turf way of the horses that we'll talk about.

How hard has it been with the new point system and trying to

balance those different routes to the Kentucky?

Well, I think that what we're seeing the last year or so is

you know you you got to be very effective in these point races

with the in the 50 and obviously 100 point races.

It's kind of one of those things where you you don't want to do

too much too early obviously as a 2 year old or even even even

in your early 3 year old season. We had a horse last year pretty

good Colt Instant Coffee that didn't perform quite as well as

we were hoping in the Louisiana Derby, he he had won the

Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill, which was you know

worth some points and then he won the Le Compte.

But we set the Risen star out because we just didn't want to

do, you know a whole lot with him and he thought we'd give him

just a little bit of time. He didn't perform as well as we

thought he was on the outside looking in he would he he didn't

make the Derby. So you know you you got to be

you got to be effective and I think it it it starts in

February, March and April is when you really have to have you

know big performances and and accumulate the points you need.

It doesn't doesn't serve a whole lot of purpose being a, you

know, fantastic two year old and you're just not going to get

rewarded for it as much as you would obviously in February,

March and April. All right.

So Brad Cox with us here on the Kentucky racing spotlight.

So Brad, you know, you've got a horse in tomorrow, for example,

up at Aqueduct in the Gotham in just a touch.

And I was wondering, you know, for those of us who observe the

sport from the outside when you watch the Wood Memorial, we

haven't had a winner of the Kentucky Derby out of that race

since sight You Pegasus 1/4 century ago.

Essentially. Does that weigh into your

decision at all as far as a path to the Derby?

Or is it more just, hey, I can get 50 points in the Gotham, I

can get 100 points in the Wood Memorial.

Well I'm, I'm, I'm hoping we get 50 tomorrow.

We'll see. But you know it has a lot to do

with the horse and the development.

That particular horse, he obviously broke his maiden at

the fairgrounds in late January and we we like the idea of just

gradually stretching him out going to one turn mile as

opposed to getting around two turns.

So that played a huge role in taking him to to Aqueduct.

You know, we'll see. Hopefully everything goes well

tomorrow. I I would pretty sure regardless

when lose or draw he'll probably come back to Kentucky and then

you know everything else would be in play if if he's you know

makes a good account of himself tomorrow and and and we can you

know continue on the path to to the Derby so we got to get

through tomorrow but but it it honestly it comes down to the

individual a lot where they are and how much running they've

done and how much experience they have.

Obviously he's just had the one run, he's fight on seasoning,

he's running against, you know, a bunch of other horses that

have more experienced. But that particular horse I just

like more, more. So the distance at the one turn

mile I I think should fit him well with where he is right now

with his development. In New York you also have gin.

Gin. She'll be running in the Bush or

earlier in the card. Also one turn mile there at

Aqueduct looking and we're we're looking at possibly some

moisture in the track as well. She ran well in that Busan over

two turns. Do you like her in the one

turnover at the one turn mile there at at Aqueduct Saturday?

I do. I do like her.

She's by a stallion that had and you have a tremendous amount of

I think when the Breeders Cup is a maiden Breeders' Cup Sprint or

something as a maiden it was a race that didn't last long the

hightail and she was able to break her maiden going 7/8 at

Churchill. So you know I I I have enough

confidence in her and she showed us that she she can handle the

one turn but she ran really good last time but give us the

confidence to obviously put her on the Kentucky Oaks trail.

But this race more was more of a timing thing.

Thought it would give her a good a good setup Grace for what

we're hoping or thinking could be your next start, as is the

Gazelle there at Aqueduct first part of April.

They go Brad Cox with us. You also have Barbara, Tina

tonight in the Cincinnati Trophy.

Are you making the trip to Turfway tonight?

I'm not I got to catch the early flight tomorrow.

Yeah but she she's doing well. I mean we when we had her in

allowance race last week where thought it was the right spot

for her and and it it canceled they canceled the racing

actually the race the the next she was actually I think they

canceled that for the 5th or the 6th and she was in the 6th or

the 7th. So unfortunately she didn't get

to run the allowance race but I think she's you know she fits

well there. I think she does definitely has

to take a step forward to to win it and I think it's possible.

You Impel was not drawn into the field.

Did she stay at the fairgrounds? And I think she's entered this

weekend at Oakland. Is she going to run?

She is. She's entered at Oakland.

We're going to keep we're we're looking to keep her on the turf.

That was kind of like a a little bit of a safety entry in case

the allowance race at Oakland did not go.

I I needed to get I need to get a run into her.

I'm hoping she can have a you know we'll see how things go

Sunday at Oakland. But I'm I'm hopeful that she can

you know have a big run and and we can look at possibly getting

a a race, you know, that could put her on the Oaks trail as

well maybe the Ashland or there's something along those

lines but and she's a talented Philly she showed that first

time out and I do think she'll stretch out.

In the Battaglia tomorrow you have 804 entries.

How do you balance all? Well we'll see the Gettysburg is

going to scratch. He's re entered in the lounge

race but we have Digit and Encino.

Encino I think is an exciting horse that's that's really

really move forward over the last few months.

Obviously got his maiden broke. He's drawn outside.

He obviously will move in one with Gettysburg Address being

scratched, but he's an exciting prospect.

He's he's training well, physically, looks good and he's

been really steady of the mornings each week with his

workouts and continuing to learn.

It's a big ass to go from a maiden win to steak.

But you know, a lot of these three-year olds, you just have

to, you know, give them an opportunity and see if they can

swim in deeper water. A three-year old you don't have

entered in this race, and I have been watching because I'm an

observer of. Brad Cox is a horse named

Tennessee. Will he run in the Ruby?

Is he a potential Derby starter for?

You. Yeah.

Yeah. That is that's exactly right.

Yeah. We're pointing him for the Ruby

he he's a horse that's you know come to life on the synthetic

and and it's two for two there on it now and and we're just we

didn't really want to run him right back in the root in the

Battaglia and then right back in the in the in the Jeff Ruby if

he's to run well. So we're going to give him a

solid six weeks. His numbers have been going

forward and we like what we see from him.

Obviously no, no secret that he's a really good looking horse

given the giving his purchase price, but you know we're hoping

he can take a step forward there the 23rd of March.

With the success of A2 fills running second a rich strike

winning the Derby before they made the the surface change at

at Turfway. Obviously an animal Kingdom.

Do you treat Turfway? Obviously the horse has to fit

the the surface, I get it. But do you treat that path to

the Derby as legitimately as you do, say, the Wood Memorial Path?

Yeah, yeah, it's legit. I mean, obviously two.

Phil showed us that last year and you, like you said, Animal

Kingdom showed us that several years ago.

So no, it's legit. I mean, just, you know, I have

learned that or figured that out that, you know, if you got a

dirt horse, it's running really well in the dirt.

Yeah, it's hard to throw them on the synthetic.

I mean, you just have to change things.

But if they're running well and they're doing well, trend the

right way, you know and they pretty much can show you the

mornings if they can handle the dirt or not.

And you know you can bounce them back and forth from surface from

the synthetic to the dirt. You know had several horses that

started out on say the grass and ended up being really good dirt.

Idiomatic. I mean she's a perfect example

of Philly that started her career on the synthetic and you

know we we immediately put her on the dirt after that and she

was I think 3rd and then back to synthetic is a four year old and

and then we transferred her over to the dirt again.

So you know she's dual surface just because they run well on

one surface don't mean they can't run well on 2 surfaces.

So it's definitely a nice path to take if if you got a horse

that needs that turf way route to the hopefully the Kentucky

Derby. Idiomatic was my vote in the

Eclipse awards for Horse of the Year, Brad, So if you I bet it

was. Mine didn't count.

I'll get you out on this. Highland Falls never run in a

stake. You've got him out at the Santa

Anita Handicap this weekend. Flora Giroux flying in for the

Mount Man. I really like him in that spot.

What? What compelled you to send him

out for that race? You know he he's he's been a

horse that get off and was very high on from the start.

He he's you know he did take a little while to get to the races

but but once he's you know he's been very good in the afternoons

he's won three of his four starts.

He's received some figures I think that definitely stack up

with with these horses and you know look he's light on

seasoning and and and experience but you know he's pretty

professional horse he's shipped out he's done well since he

arrived his works have been steady enough but you know it's

going to be a test for him. I do think he can handle the

mile and a quarter. He's got a, he's got a big

pedigree. He's out of a great one, winning

mayor obviously by curling and you know we're hoping he can

take a step forward and he handles the mile and a quarter

he's he's, he'll be right there to finish.

Does moving a race back a day affect how you prepare a horse

for a race? Is it a big change for that

horse? And it may a little bit

sometimes with your schooling of the horse and stuff, but this

horse is is got a great mind, so I don't think it'll affect him

one bit. Well, there you go.

He's Brad Cox. He's got, look, I mean he's got

700 horses in the Battaglia, so watch out.

It's one of those things, boy, all over the place.

Safe travels to New York and a bunch of safe trips for your

horses this weekend, Brad, we always.

Hi, Lee. Thanks for having me on.

Talk to you. Soon.

There you go, Brad Cox. Tater's sitting here and I

always wonder. There we go.

I always wonder, do you know that that's like the best

trainer in North America right now?

I mean, do you have any idea that these things are going on?

You come on the air. I don't mind.

I love doing this show, by the way.

This is fantastic. I, since I've lived here, I

don't know a damn thing about horses.

It makes you realize I just bet on them.

There you go. Well, you see that name?

Cox next to a horse. That's one to bet on.

There you go. All right.

Well, we thank Brad Cox for joining us here on the Kentucky

Racing Spotlight. When we come back, we will talk

about his horses in the Cincinnati Trophy and in the

Battaglia at Turfway this weekend with our friend Caitlin

Free. She'll be on the simulcast up

there in Florence this weekend. She joins us next here on the

Kentucky Racing Spotlight presented by the Kentucky HBPA.

Taking care of your family isn't always easy, so we make sure

getting care when you need it is with Baptist Health, Urgent and

Virtual Care. We bring you more options and

greater convenience too, with video visits available 24/7 and

online. Check in through my chart for in

person visits. To check in online or to set up

a video visit, go to baptisthealth.com/careanywhere

when it's time to replace your heating and air system.

We know people want options. That's why you'll always get a

free second opinion with BJ heating and cooling.

Plus, for a limited time, get 0% financing for 60 months on a new

Bryant system. All the experts you can trust

that BJ heating and cooling Welcome back to the Kentucky

Racing Spotlight on ESPN 680 and One O 5 seven.

Now here's Louie Robot. Hi welcome back in final segment

here on the Kentucky Racing Spotlight with Louie Robot.

Of course I am Louie Robot here at Radio Louie on Twitter at

ESPN 680 for our station at KY Racing Spotlight for the show.

You can find her at Caitlin E free on Twitter.

Only 7000 fewer Twitter followers than Brad Cox who we

just talked to. Caitlin, how are you?

I'm good How? Are you doing great?

A fantastic weekend up there at Turfway Park.

I love by the way that the Cincinnati trophy gets its own

mantle tonight and then we run the Battaglia tomorrow up there.

Anything in particular that you think you're watching for now

that the Cincinnati trophy, obviously a stretch out from

previous races going, the two turns in the Battaglia only a

three-week turn around here, but we see you know John Dennis has

an entry here, other people with some pretty serious entries on

that side. Anything you're in particular

looking for? I I agree with you.

I'm glad that the Cincinnati trophy has it's own night and

it's usually a very, very fun race.

We've had some really good Phillies come out of the race of

course, botanical last year, so I'm glad it kind of has it's own

spotlight. Interesting group this year,

very interesting that the Brad Cox Philly does not draw in and

tell. She looked like she could be

tough in there if she got in. So it's a little bit more of a

wide open contest in there, but we're looking to see horses that

have stretched out all ready in these races, some of them that

have wins over the all weather type of surface.

So there's kind of a little bit of everything in these races

that you mentioned Epic ride. I'm actually a little surprised

that we're not seeing him go straight to the Jeff Ruby and

then come back and run really hopefully here in the Battaglia.

But I know John and his likes to run his horses as far as hot

right now. So I figured there was a 75%

chance he was going to run. So I wasn't surprised to see

him. You know, we talked to John last

week on this show and essentially you know his, his

rationale was I'll run him now because he's ready and then if

we got to go to the Bluegrass, that's fine.

And you know that's the kind of mentality I'll take all day with

horse traders rather than we're going to sit on the bench for a

couple more weeks. Yeah, that's kind of what I was

thinking was that maybe instead of doing the Jeff Ruby, he would

maybe give him a little bit more of a break and give him a run on

dirt after running the couple of times on the all weather.

But I mean he still, if he wins, he still got 20 points in the

Kentucky Derby. And we know last year after all

the scratches that was enough to get you in.

So even if he only clunked up like 1/3 or 1/4 in the bluegrass

or wherever else he decides to go, that would still be OK.

Or if he decides let's go to Lexington, I think that's worth

20 or 30. So there's always definitely

options. So I I certainly understand

that. Yeah, Caitlin free with us.

She'll be on the simulcast up there at Turfway Park tonight

and tomorrow. Of course, you can check her

there. Let's go to the Cincinnati

Trophy tonight up there at Turfway Park.

It will be race six. We're going a mile for $150,000

here in that Cincinnati trophy. I remember a couple years ago,

Caitlin, I was riding for the LA Times horse racing newsletter

when that was a thing. And I remember being very

critical that the Cincinnati Trophy this close to any of the,

you know, the Bourbonetto and sorts of things, was 6 1/2

furlongs at the time. And I was like just a lot of run

two turns and they've obviously put all that together, which is

fantastic. Who stands out in this field to

you now that you mentioned Impel is going to be running in an

allowance on Sunday down at Oakland?

Yeah, Intel not going and I don't know if she would have,

you know if she even drew into the field, if she would have ran

period, because she did have that cross entry.

But I think living magic stands out now.

She she's certainly the class of the field.

She's a two time stakes winner. She won a stakes going 5 1/2 up

at Woodbine and then last time out back in October she made her

two turn debut in the Chelsea Flower Stakes that aqueducts on

the turf. One quite easily in there at a

price. She's able to be quite

versatile. She's got the depth, she's got

the versatility, she is coming in fresh, but the Phil Show and

Ball barn is really good with horses coming in around two to

three months freshening. So I think she looks really good

in this spot. Yeah, interesting, too.

She's won stakes both on the synthetic and on turf, right?

One of them going, two turns, one of them sprinting.

So she's done a little bit. And she broke her mean on the

dirt. Yeah, right.

So done a little bit of everything.

So I these are the kinds of horses, Caitlin, that I think

the, you know, this Turfway route to these races, to the

Oaks, to the Derby has really opened up for more horses.

She's look, she's a daughter of justify and obviously we've seen

plenty of justifies do well on the turf.

That's not a question. But we also know that a lot of

justifies have done well on the dirt and this is kind of a nice

transition from you know you mentioned it from that from that

turf stakes up at Aqueduct and allows her to kind of slide into

a more comfortable position on the on the synthetic there in

the Cincinnati trophy. Yeah, she seems to have really

blossomed stretching out with the addition of blinkers too.

So I do like that she gets a little bit of a freshening the

pace in here. I don't think it looks super,

super hot, but you know it could be dazzling.

Dictator might be a little bit more forwardly placed than a

couple of others. I think by Countess maybe a

little bit more forward. So it just kind of seems like

it's going to be a little more moderate.

I think it would have been a lot hotter than Pell actually went

into the race and actually super fly could go as well.

But I think this Philly is going to have a chance to maybe kind

of sit a close up mid pack type of a trip, which is really what

she wants to do. A ridiculous thing to say out

loud, so I'm going to go ahead and do it.

Is there any chance it's the other Ennis that gets it done in

Falabella? There's always a chance.

There is. Always.

A chance. Like I said, he his barn is so

hot right now. She can get it done.

She can be forward, she can come from off the pace.

I like the race that she ran to Marae's girl at a big number

last time out. So they obviously have something

there. In other words, that I think has

really earned her chance to be here.

Is the tin ever Lynn. That is a tough Billy.

I mean, she recovered from a lot.

When she broke her maiden in that May 30, she almost went

down. She had no room.

Axl Conception was able to get her up into the race in the

stretch she flew on to win, and then last time out she didn't

have a comfortable trip either and she was full of run then.

So I think she's going to be potentially the overlooked horse

in this race. She's been overlooked in every

single start, especially last time out when she went off at 16

to one, but she's really impressed me.

The foster barn has done well, so there's a chance for a little

bit of an upset. I think that everyone could be

the one. And it's been fun watching Abel

Sedio make the transition to the Kentucky circuit.

Hopefully he'll decide to stay on for Keeneland and then for

Churchill Downs as well. So let's help.

Yeah, well good. That's great.

No, he's a fantastic addition to the colony up there.

Caitlin free with us from up at Turfway Park.

We'll get you out of here on the Battaglia 150K tomorrow.

Mylan is 16th, obviously 4 three-year olds for the boys

trying to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.

Brad told us in the previous segment that Gettysburg Address

will not run tomorrow. Did that change the race at all

for you? I don't think so.

I'm actually kind of not surprised that he's running

horses, you know, kind of been at Oak Lawn throughout the whole

time. There's still plenty of more

preps. Brad already has the view in

there, so that that doesn't really change much for me.

I think it actually without horse kind of having a little

bit of speed. I think it almost kind of makes

it a little bit easier for Epic Ride.

There's a couple of speed horses that could draw in off the also

eligible, but if Epic Ride, you know, wants to do, wants to do

what he does, he's capable of sitting just off of another

horse. So I think that actually makes

his job a lot easier. OK, so Epic Ride feels like a

single as part of the late sequence for you tomorrow.

I'd have to maybe think about a single but I think he I think he

stands out in here a little bit more than maybe some of the

horses do in the Cincinnati trophy and I like the Philly

coming in from New York that I talked about a good bit.

I think blue eyed George is a little bit interesting.

Ran behind epic ride last time out so it'd probably be these

two old at midnight. Had a really good maiden

breaking score but he got a loose and lonely lead.

That's not going to happen this time and I think he's definitely

up against it. So with Getty Pittsburgh address

being out making epic rights job a little bit easier, I would say

going back with the two that ran 1/2 and the Leonidas kind of

seems a little logical. Well, there you go.

Well, she's Caitlin free. She's up at Turfway Park.

Catch her on the simulcast tonight and tomorrow.

Anyone else stand out in that late sequence tomorrow?

Because obviously we've got the force the mandatory payout in

the Pick 6. Yeah, just just announced that

mandatory pay out there. Definitely exciting.

So we have a little bit of a carryover coming in to tonight,

so if it can carry over again, it's going to be really, really

fun. As far as anyone standing out,

I'll have to kind of dive in a little bit more deep but ready

to perform. Coming back for Brad Cox, crying

the all weather packs of Wallops.

Going to be making the second start of his career here over

the surface for Billy Moorie. This is going to be his second

run for the Moorie barn. He comes out of a race where

Surly Curious is literally 1-2 stakes races from.

I thought he ran well in that race, kind of got a little bit

leg weary. They're late but let's trying

something new. So I think he's a little bit

more interesting drawing a little bit of an outside post

away from some of the other speed.

We got Ocean Lantique coming back, so this race after the

Battaglia is completely 6 quality.

There's a couple of horses in here, 16 races, touch of a

storm. He's obviously a nice horse so

that's a good race and then the main best way after for

three-year olds and up. Of course we're going to see a

couple of three-year olds in this race so we'll have to see.

There's a couple of first time starters and there there's one

for Glenn Wismer that I took a little bit of a look at.

But it's it's a good sequence and adding that mandatory payout

I think is going to make it all obviously all the more

interesting. All right, well I got Frost

Mountain and no, no Joe on top in that maiden that she just

mentioned. She is Caitlin free.

She joined us from up there at Surfway Park.

Good luck this weekend. And by the way, I'm bringing

people just so you know, we will see you at the Ruby.

All right, I can't wait. Fantastic.

Well we will have you on ahead of the Ruby as well.

She's Caitlin free. Caitlin E free on Twitter as

well. Go find her and go follow her

with all the good stuff up there at Surfway.

Caitlin, we really appreciate you being part of the show.

We'll talk to you in a couple weeks.

Of course. Thank you so much.

Thank you. All right, that was Caitlin Free

from up there at Turfway Park. And that brings us to the close

of this week's edition of the Kentucky Racing Spotlight with

Louis Robot. Hey, I'm Louis Robot.

Thanks for joining us this weekend.

Good luck with all your bets this weekend and we'll talk to

you next week.