“It was a very good day,” said Trace Messina, Keeneland assistant to trainer Brad Cox, in a bit of understatement Sunday morning.

The Cox barn captured three of the five graded stakes on Saturday’s program, highlighted by the 11-length victory by Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado in the $1,250,000 Toyota Blue Grass (G1).

“They are all doing good this morning and will most likely ship to Churchill Downs tomorrow,” Messina said of Further Ado, Resolute Racing Madison (G1) winner Eclatant and Commonwealth (G3) winner Saudi Crown.

The three victories moved Cox’s Keeneland win total to 197 — eighth all time — and boosted his stakes-winning tally to 42 — fifth-best all time here. 

“I remember in 2020 at Fair Grounds, we won the Muniz Memorial Classic (G2) with Factor This, the (Fair Grounds) Oaks (G2) with Bonny South and the (Louisiana) Derby (G2) with Wells Bayou,” Cox said via text. “Not sure if we have done it another time.”

Expected to join Further Ado and the Cox team at Churchill Monday is Curlin Florida Derby (G1) Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa winner Commandment for Wathnan Racing. Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Fulleffort, owned by St. Elias Stable and Starlight Racing, is already at Churchill, awaiting his expected run in the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve.

In addition to his three Kentucky Derby hopefuls, Cox figures to have at least two entrants in the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 1: Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) winner Life of Joy and Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) Presented by City National Bank winner Prom Queen.

Three trainers have swept the Oaks and Derby in the same year with the most recent being Kenny McPeek in 2024 with Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan.

“It’s gonna be busy,” Messina said of activities in early May for the Cox barn.

Stonestreet Stables’ Eclatant also could return to the races Derby Day in the $1 million Derby City Distaff (G1) Presented by Ford. FMQ Stables’ Saudi Crown could target the $1 million Churchill Downs (G1) Presented by Ford the same day. Both races are 7 furlongs, the same distance as Saturday’s victories.