Cox preparing trio of high-profile siblings for Oaklawn Park races

Trainer Brad Cox came to Oaklawn Park last season with an un-started 2-year-old half-brother to champion and 2017 Arkansas Derby winner Classic Empire. The trainer returned to Hot Springs this time with a pair of un-started 2-year-old full siblings to other noteworthy runners.

Cox’s 40-horse stable includes Cowboy Diplomacy, a full brother to Monomoy Girl, who will be the country’s champion 3-year-old filly of 2018, and Trivista, a full brother to One Liner, powerful winner of the $500,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds in 2017 at Oaklawn.

Exclamation Point, Classic Empire’s unbeaten half-brother, debuted last February at Oaklawn. Cox thinks Cowboy Diplomacy and Trivista are candidates to debut in February, too. Oaklawn’s meeting begins Jan. 25.

“As far as fitness, they’re both at a similar level,” Cox said.

Cowboy Diplomacy and Trivista worked against each other throughout December, Cox said, after returning from minor shin issues.

Cox also trains Monomoy Girl, who crossed the finish line first in all seven races this year, including the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs. Monomoy Girl and Cowboy Diplomacy (both chestnuts) are by Tapizar out of Drumette, a daughter of Henny Hughes.

“They’re identical to look at,” Cox said. “Physically, they’re very similar. I see some similarities in them. He’s obviously got a long way to go to be mentioned in the same sentence with her. He’s done things right. I’m pretty happy with him.”

Pocket Aces Racing purchased Cowboy Diplomacy for $175,000 at 2017 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky’s Fall Yearling Sale.

Trivista, a bay son of Into Mischief, is owned by Staton Flurry of Hot Springs, who purchased the colt privately after he failed to meet his reserve at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Trivista is named for the historic neighborhood just north of Oaklawn that Flurry grew up in.

Flurry also co-owns Exclamation Point, who is 3-for-3 and training at Oaklawn in preparation for his 4-year-old debut. Exclamation Point won two races at the 2018 Oaklawn meeting, but he hasn’t started since April because of a minor leg injury.