BY BROCK SHERIDAN
DEL MAR, CA—Two triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures and a five-and-a-half-length victory in the Grade 2 Phoenix at Keeneland in his last two races illustrate Federal Judge’s talent, but trainer Brad Cox said his best attribute may be his mind.
The Florida-bred gelding will need to have both his speed and intelligence on full display Saturday when he faces 10 rivals in the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint, a six-furlong contest for 3-year-olds and older at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.
So far this week, Federal Judge has adapted quite smartly to Southern California after shipping from his base in the Brad Cox barn in Kentucky.
“He’s handled everything really well—the ship and everything. He’s got a great mind so things like this don’t get him too upset,” Cox said. “But overall very positive. We’re excited about giving him an opportunity in a Grade 1.
“He’s a very mild-mannered, well-mannered horse. He does everything you ask of him. No vices. So he’s an easy keeper. But when he turns it on, he can be a very fast horse.”
After being gelded in April, Federal Judge was sent to Cox in Kentucky and began preparing for a summer campaign at Saratoga Race Course. He would finish second in his first start back against second condition, $62,500 optional claimers going seven furlongs, but finished second to Happy Jack. He rebounded with a strong next out, winning by six lengths under the same conditions on Aug. 31. He finished six-and-a-half furlongs in 1:09.90, producing a 100 Beyer Speed Figure.
“I honestly think he’s a very good horse and thought he would compete in Saratoga,” Cox said. “He just got tired in his first run there late. Then he bounced back there towards the end of the meet and was able to get to the winner’s circle and ran very well at six-and-a-half [furlongs].”
Federal Judge secured his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup with a convincing score in the six-furlong Phoenix on Oct. 6, utilizing his speed to win while leading from start to finish through quarter-mile splits of :21.61 and :43.97.
“The performance in the Phoenix surprised me a little but I mean listen, the track was quick that day,” Cox said. “But when you go :43 for the half mile, I don’t care if the track’s playing for speed or not. That is very, very fast. He was able to win by a clear margin and I thought that was very impressive—just the way he bounced out of [the starting gate]. He was asked to be put in the race and he responded well and finished up well.”
Federal Judge drew post three for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint but Cox said jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. would have the same instructions regardless of the starting point.
“Obviously, we want to be forwardly placed. We want to be aggressive away from there,” he said. “Looking at the other horses with speed, most of them are to the outside of us but I’m pretty sure we’re not going to get a loose lead but we’ll see how things go and how the race unfolds. Our plan is to break running and take it from there.”
Federal Judge has earned $402,960 for owners Siena Farm LLC and WinStar Farm LLC while winning four of six career starts with one second. He is by Army Mule out of Congarette, by Congaree and was bred in Florida by Richard Heysek’s Caperlane Farm.
“Through the years we’ve had some decent Florida-breds,” Cox said. “Overall, they seem to be tough, sturdy horses that can definitely win Saturday afternoon races.”