Cox Heads Challenge in Pocahontas

[Wandering Eyes]

Trainer Brad Cox appears to be among the ones to beat in Saturday’s GII Pocahontas S., a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ challenge race for the Nov. 1 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita. Representing Cox is Portrait (Tapizar), a runaway 12 1/2-length winner of her dirt bow going seven furlongs at Ellis Aug. 25. The LNJ Foxfoods representative was third after a slow start in her career debut, going a mile over that oval’s turf course July 29.
“I’ve been really high on her this summer,” Cox said. “I think she’s one of our nicest 2-year-olds we have in the barn and she was impressive breaking her maiden last time at Ellis. I think the distance shouldn’t be a problem going two turns.”
British Idiom (Flaskback), a debut winner at Saratoga Aug. 15, is also listed among entries for the Pocahontas, however, she is likely to be scratched according to Cox Friday. Morning Gold (Morning Line) will attempt to give her trainer his record-tying third victory in the race following wins by Dothraki Queen and Daddys Little Darling in 2015-16. Runner up to Sweet Melania (American Pharoah) in her career opener in a 1 1/16-mile turf test at Saratoga July, the form was flattered when the Todd Pletcher runner finished a neck second in the P.G. Johnson S. at the Spa Aug. 29. Jose Ortiz, aboard for her win, gets back on for this stakes debut. Never one to be overlooked, Steve Asmussen sends out Lotta Ott (Tapiture), a debut fourth going 5 ½ panels at Saratoga July 12 before breaking through with a win last time in a six-furlong test Upstate Aug. 11. Ricardo Santana Jr. returns to ride.

 

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