Cox trio works for KY Derby
Churchill Downs publicist Kevin Kerstein’s daily Derby update (Coady Media/Renee Torbit photo above of Commandment, jockey Luis Saez up, working Friday morning)
On Kentucky HBPA Youtube: Brad Cox interview after works
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, April 17, 2026) – With two weeks remaining until the first Saturday in May, trainer Brad Cox’s Barn 22 was active Friday morning at Churchill Downs where his trio of contenders recorded their penultimate works for the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I).
At 5:15 a.m. (all times Eastern), Wathnan Racing’s Florida Derby winner Commandment breezed five furlongs in :59.60 outside stablemate Direct Strike, followed by Spendthrift Farm’s Blue Grass Stakes (GI) winner Further Ado with a half-mile in :48.60 and St. Elias Stable and Starlight Racing’s Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII) winner Fulleffort, who worked five furlongs in :59.20 outside stablemate Chasten.
“It was a really good morning for all three horses,” Cox said. “Commandment is a steady workhorse and does anything you ask of him. He always seems to clip off 12-second furlongs without being asked. Further Ado looked great coming out of the Blue Grass. He had a solid half-mile with a really good gallop out on his own. Fulleffort seems to be progressing well on the dirt and had a good move with a nice horse in Chasten. He’s moved well over this racetrack since we got him back here.”
Commandment, with jockey Luis Saez aboard, started one length behind Direct Strike and posted eighth-mile splits of :12.40, :23.80, :35.60 and :47.40. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.20 and seven furlongs in 1:26.20, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.
Further Ado, ridden by regular exercise rider Jonathan Santiago, covered an opening quarter-mile in :23.80 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01, six furlongs in 1:13.80 and seven furlongs in 1:26.80, according to Nichols.
Fulleffort, with regular exercise rider Edvin Vargas aboard, worked eighth-mile splits of :12.20, :24.20, :35.60 and :47.20. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:11.60, seven furlongs in 1:25.40 and one mile in 1:40.20, according to Nichols.
“The track was quick so the times might’ve been a little faster than we originally planned,” Cox said. “However, every horse worked well over it and galloped out well. You can’t really ask more than that with two weeks to go.”
Other local activity Friday morning included Amerman Racing’s Stark Contrast, who breezed five furlongs in :59.80 with Flavien Prat aboard. The Michael McCarthy trainee is likely to bypass the Derby in favor of the $1 million American Turf (GI) but a final decision hasn’t been made.
Also on the work tab was NK Racing and LNJ Foxwoods’ Paradise, who worked an easy half-mile in :49. The Cox trainee qualified for the $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) with a victory in the Busher Stakes and a third-place finish in the Gazelle (GIII). Cox indicated that if she does not run in the Oaks, she could target the $700,000 Eight Belles presented by Sysco (GII).
Saturday’s work tab at Churchill Downs is expected to include scheduled breezes from Wood Memorial (GII) top two finishers Albus and Right to Party, according to their connections.
KENTUCKY DERBY MORNING WORKS SHOW UNDERWAY – The Kentucky Derby Morning Works Show presented by TwinSpires.com is back and offers fans an exclusive look at the final preparations of Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders.
Airing daily from 6:45-7:45 a.m. (all times Eastern), the one-hour program is streamed live on the Kentucky Derby Facebook Page, YouTube and X accounts. The show highlights the 15-minute exclusive training window from 7:15-7:30 a.m. for horses preparing for the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) and the $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI).
Hosted by Churchill Downs’ expert handicappers Joe Kristufek, Kaitlin Benson, Tony Calo and Kevin Kilroy, the show includes insight, commentary and exclusive interviews from notable figures such as the voice of the Kentucky Derby Travis Stone, former leading rider Rosie Napravnik, TwinSpires.com handicapper James Scully, Churchill Downs morning line oddsmaker Nick Tammaro and racing analyst Ren Carrothers.
All Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders are required to be on-site by Saturday, April 25. The show will continue through Thursday, May 1, showcasing every contender’s final training sessions leading into Kentucky Derby and Longines Kentucky Oaks.
For more information, visit www.kentuckyderby.com
