Trainer Profile: Brad H. Cox

One of the best trainers in the country right now, Brad H.  Cox, isn't a household name. In fact, if you concentrate on races on both sides of the coast, you're not likely to know who he even is. Make no mistake, Cox has been one of the best conditioners in the United States for a long time.

2017 has been different for Brad Cox than previous years. Cox's barn appears to have hit its stride. As of July 27, Cox is ranked 9th in earnings by trainer. His horses have earned $4.84 million.

Check out 5 of Brad Cox's most impressive winners.

2017 American Turf Stakes - Arklow

Favorite Oscar Performance threw in the towel after bumping in the stretch. Arklow didn't. That's probably what impresses me the most about Arklow's win in the American Turf Stakes. He went off 15 to 1 in that race. Brad Cox had him so ready to go that he had trouble in the stretch and still managed to beat horses like Oscar Performance, Good Samaritan, and Big Score.

2017 Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes - Green Mask

In the middle of the stretch it appeared as if Green Mask had no shot. Then, Javier Castellano kicked him into gear. The way he so easily ran past frontrunner Latent Heat was ultra-impressive. Cox wins a ton of races at Churchill Downs.

2017 Eight Belles Stakes - Benner Island

Here's another graded race that Brad Cox won at Churchill Downs. Yes, Benner Island was the the chalk in this year's Eight Belles Stakes. But, she was only a 3 to 1 chalk. The race was loaded with talented fillies. Under Jose Ortiz, Benner Island negotiated the first quarter in 22.54. To tell you how much quality Benner Island possesses, the horse that dueled with her in the early stages, Lovely Bernadette, beat only one horse in a 14 horse race.

2016 Azeri Stakes - Call Prat

Before there was Zenyatta, there was Azeri. Azeri, at one time, was the greatest race horse in the world. Handicappers forget about Azeri because it was so long ago when she dominated the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park.

Call Prat won the prestigious Grade 2 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park last year. She did it as a 5 to 1 shot. Whom did Call Prat beat to win the Azeri last year? Likely future National Racing Hall of Fame inductee Untapable.

2016 Princess Rooney Stakes - Spelling Again

Spelling Again went off second choice in the 2016 Princess Rooney Stakes. Birdatthewire was the even money chalk. What impresses me about Spelling Again is how she responds to Luis Saez's urging while on the rail. Brad Cox had her ready to show her best. Saez was able to get the best out of her.

Spelling Again's win in last year's Princess Rooney stakes is the perfect example of connections and horse being in sync. It's doubtful Spelling Again would have one if Cox hadn't conditioned her. It's extremely doubtful that Spelling Again would have won if Luis Saez hadn't been aboard.