Brad Cox’s 2026 Kentucky Derby Trio: How a ‘Keep It Simple’ Strategy Could Define t...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Danny Brewer has been covering Thoroughbred racing since 2006.Follow AuthorApr 23, 2026, 07:16pm EDTBrad Cox will call on his past Derby experience as he prepares fore Kentucky Derby 152Lisa BrewerBrad Cox comes into the 2026 Kentucky Derby with a trio of very talented runners. As he prepares Florida Derby winner Commandment, Blue Grass Stakes champion Further Ado, and Jeff Ruby Steaks victor Fulleffort for the 152ndRun For The Roses, this cunning Thoroughbred conditioner has crafted a simplistic plan as he tries to find the winner’s circle in the world’s most famous race. Winning the Kentucky Derby does not have to be the result of an exotic and complicated formulation. Thoroughbred racing, like most sports, boils down to some simple things. Just score more than the other team, or in this case, have your horse run faster than all the others. Having sent twelve horses to the Derby starting gates since 2021, Brad Cox has experience to draw from and past runnings have been very educational for this Louisville native. “We have been very fortunate to have had some really good horses over the past five years”, says Cox, who has saddled over 2500 winners. “Our goal every year is to have Derby horses that are not just entrants but have a real shot to win the race. This race can bring a lot of pressure and we figured that out. I have learned a lot over the past few years in dealing with the whole Derby experience