(Brad Cox, on the far right, wins another Churchill Downs’ Trainer’s Title / Photo by Holly M. Smith)
Late on Sunday afternoon, when it became apparent that trainer Brad Cox had won yet another “Trainer’s Title” at Churchill Downs, track handicapper and TV host Joe Kristufek made his way to the winner’s circle for a impromptu interview.
It was like pulling off a horse shoe with a pair of nail clippers.
Joe would adeptly ask the questions.
Brad Cox would adeptly answer with a nod of the head and a low-key, subtle, carefully scripted one word answer. “Yes.”
Joe would delve back into his interviewing skills and pose another.
Brad Cox would quietly, shyly, and in soft voice answer. With a single word. “Thanks.”
It was almost as much fun as watching one of Cox’s steeds rip around the racetrack and find their way to the winner’s circle.
The horses would make the trip with a lot more fanfare. Cox — a man of few words — would make the trip with a lot less publicity sizzle.
But they all made it. And, both left you with a smile and a giggle.
After Sunday’s races were all done and completed, Cox had 5 wins, 9 seconds and 5 thirds in just 31 mounts. That gave him a 1-win edge over Churchill Downs’ all-time leading and winningest trainer, Dale Romans, Brian Lynch and Eddie Kenneally. All there of those fine gents finished with 4 wins a piece.
Here’s a closer look at the Top 25 Trainers this meet:
| 1 | Brad H. Cox | 31 | — | 5 | 9 | 5 | $483,757 | 16% | 61% | — |
| 2 | Dale L. Romans | 20 | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | $372,835 | 20% | 30% | — |
| 3 | Eddie Kenneally | 18 | — | 4 | 4 | 2 | $315,097 | 22% | 56% | — |
| 4 | Steven M. Asmussen | 40 | — | 3 | 4 | 5 | $251,439 | 8% | 30% | — |
| 5 | Ian R. Wilkes | 32 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | $239,828 | 9% | 22% | — |
| 6 | Brian A. Lynch | 12 | — | 4 | 2 | 0 | $228,030 | 33% | 50% | — |
| 7 | Kenneth G. McPeek | 26 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | $226,640 | 12% | 27% | — |
| 8 | Ben Colebrook | 14 | — | 3 | 2 | 0 | $213,848 | 21% | 36% | — |
| 9 | Michael J. Maker | 20 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | $201,338 | 15% | 40% | — |
| 10 | Stanley M. Hough | 7 | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | $186,567 | 43% | 71% | — |
| 11 | Brendan P. Walsh | 24 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | $182,007 | 8% | 25% | — |
| 12 | Albert M. Stall, Jr. | 12 | — | 3 | 0 | 1 | $168,268 | 25% | 33% | — |
| 13 | Norm W. Casse | 11 | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | $155,005 | 27% | 45% | — |
| 14 | Paul J. McGee | 9 | — | 1 | 2 | 0 | $150,212 | 11% | 33% | — |
| 15 | Shane Wilson | 2 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | $149,230 | 50% | 50% | — |
| 16 | Donnie K. Von Hemel | 5 | — | 3 | 1 | 0 | $144,944 | 60% | 80% | — |
| 17 | Dallas Stewart | 26 | — | 3 | 1 | 3 | $135,670 | 12% | 27% | — |
| 18 | George R. Arnold, II | 9 | — | 2 | 0 | 1 | $135,242 | 22% | 33% | — |
| 19 | William I. Mott | 9 | — | 2 | 0 | 2 | $128,872 | 22% | 44% | — |
| 20 | Doug F. O’Neill | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | $120,280 | 100% | 100% | — |
| 21 | Thomas M. Amoss | 19 | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | $116,935 | 5% | 37% | — |
| 22 | Michael A. Tomlinson | 13 | — | 3 | 0 | 2 | $116,799 | 23% | 38% | — |
| 23 | Wayne M. Catalano | 12 | — | 2 | 0 | 1 | $104,726 | 17% | 25% | — |
| 24 | William B. Bradley | 7 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | $102,719 | 14% | 43% | — |
| 25 | Brian Williamson | 11 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | $94,232 | 27% | 64% | — |
(Stats compiled by and courtesy of Equibase)
