Cox: Mandaloun is 'doing great' ahead of Louisiana Stakes start
With the $20 million Saudi Cup his wintertime target, Kentucky Derby runner-up Mandaloun geared up for his start in the Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes on Jan. 22 with a six-furlong work in 1:13.2 at Fair Grounds, the fastest of three works at that distance.
"He's doing great," trainer Brad Cox told Horse Racing Nation on Sunday. "Breezed good, really well today."
[Sunday tab: Knicks Go, 23 other graded-stakes winners work]
The 4-year-old Into Mischief colt hasn't raced since winning the Haskell (G1) in July. After a freshening, he resumed working in late November.
The 1 1/16-mile Louisiana will be a prep for the Feb. 26 Saudi Cup, with Mandaloun likely to face rival Midnight Bourbon in both. Their last meeting came in the Haskell, when Mandaloun finished second by a nose to Hot Rod Charlie. Cox's colt was declared the winner when Hot Rod Charlie was disqualified for clipping heels with Midnight Bourbon, who did not finish the race.
The two have split their first four meetings. First in last winter's Lecomte (G3), Midnight Bourbon won, and Mandaloun finished third. Then in the Risen Star (G2) last February, Mandaloun won and Midnight Bourbon was third. In the Louisiana Derby (G2), Midnight Bourbon was second, and Mandaloun was sixth. Mandaloun was second to Medina Spirit in the Kentucky Derby with Midnight Bourbon coming in sixth.
Breeders' Cup Classic winner Knicks Go also worked Sunday for Cox, breezing six furlongs at Fair Grounds in 1:14.0. The 6-year-old son of Paynter, the leading contender for the Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year, will make his final career start in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) on Jan. 29 at Gulfstream Park.
He also is "doing great," Cox said. "Breezed good this morning – really good."
Cox also said he has no definite plans for Shedaresthedevil, winner of the 2020 Kentucky Oaks and three graded stakes in 2021. "She's coming back in from the farm this week."
In her last race, Shedaresthedevil finished sixth in the Breeders' Cup Distaff.