cox has the chance at Keeneland stakes history this weekend

No trainer has won more than four stakes during a Keeneland race meet, but by the time the dust settles Saturday afternoon, Brad Cox could eclipse that mark. 

Half of Cox’s six victories at the meet have come in stakes, starting opening weekend with Just One Time in the Madison (G1) and Matareya in the Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select. He added No. 3 last Saturday with Tawny Port in the Stonestreet Lexington (G3). 

On Friday, Cox will send out Juddmonte’s Bonny South in the Baird Doubledogdare (G3) and Saturday will saddle Twin Creeks Racing Stables’ Warrant in the Ben Ali (G3). Both horses are scheduled to arrive at Keeneland today from Churchill Downs. 

Three trainers have had four stakes victories during a Spring Meet: Ben Jones in 1948 during an 11-day meet, Todd Pletcher in the 15-day meet in 2011 and Chad Brown in the 16-day meet in 2018. 

During the Fall Meet, D. Wayne Lukas had four stakes victories during 16-day seasons in 1994 and 1995; Mark Casse and Graham Motion each notched four stakes victories in 2016’s 17-day meet.