Cox Ready for Big Stephen Foster Weekend

Big weekends in horse racing are usually synonymous with several entries from the Brad Cox barn and that is the case for Saturday’s Stephen Foster Day at Ellis Park where the Louisville-based conditioner has five stakes entrants including West Will Power, the 7-2 second choice on the morning line odds in the $1 million Stephen Foster (Grade I).

“We’re looking forward to this weekend at Ellis. There are some really fun races and we have a lot of horses ready to compete from our barn,” Cox said Wednesday from his Churchill Downs base. “We’ve got five entered in the stakes Saturday and two stakes starters on Sunday with Zozos (in the Hanshin Stakes) and Squire Creek (in the Maxfield).”

In the Stephen Foster, Gary and Mary West’s West Will Power was tabbed as the 7-2 second choice on the morning line odds behind Lucky Seven Stable’s multiple graded stakes winning colt Smile Happy (3-1). West Will Power dueled on the lead in the $600,000 Alysheba Stakes (GII) at Churchill Downs but gave way late to Smile Happy. Prior to the Alysheba, West Will Power dominated six rivals by 4 ¾ lengths in the New Orleans Classic (GII) at Fair Grounds.

“I think the pace could set up well for him in the Foster,” Cox said. “He’s the type of horse that likes to be either on the lead or sit just off the leader’s hip. He was impressive at Fair Grounds this winter and ran well last time at Churchill. I think he got a lot out of that race and fits well moving forward in the Foster.”

Run at 1 1/8 miles, the Stephen Foster will go as Race 10 of 12 at 5:26 p.m. First post is 12:45 a.m. The Stephen Foster is the centerpiece of a six pack of stakes events Saturday at Ellis Park. The other featured races on the program are the $400,000 Fleur de Lis (GII), the $400,000 Wise Dan (GII), the $225,000 American Derby (Listed), the $225,000 Kelly’s Landing (Listed) and the $225,000 Tepin.

Cox will also send Set Piece (GB) to post in the Wise Dan Stakes as the heavy 4-5 morning line favorite.