Commandment ‘Looks Really Good’ After Giving Cox Florida Derby-Gulfstream Park Oaks Double

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Wathnan Racing's Commandment (Into Mischief) appeared no worse for wear a day after eking out a win over The Puma (Essential Quality) in the GI Curlin Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.“He looks really good this morning,” said trainer Brad Cox, who joined Woody Stephens and Todd Pletcher in garnering wins in the Florida Derby and Gulfstream Park Oaks (Bonnie Miss) in the same year.On the Florida Derby undercard, Cox won the Oaks with Prom Queen (Quality Road).“That's obviously a great accomplishment,” said Cox. “We have a great team. It's a team effort. To be in the column with those two guys means a lot,” Cox said. “We're very proud of the performances and very proud of our team.”Woody Stephens was the first to record the double in 1984 when he saddled Swale for a win in Gulfstream's top stakes for 3-year-olds and Miss Oceana to a victory in the premier stakes for 3-year-old fillies. In 2014, Todd Pletcher scored a Curlin Florida Derby victory with Constitution and a Gulfstream Park Oaks triumph with In Tune.“He's obviously had a good winter there at Gulfstream,” said Cox on Sunday. “I felt like he took a step forward in every race. [Saturday], he was able to overcome somewhat of a softer pace up front and come around some very good horses and put his head down when it counted the most. We are fortunate and lucky and proud of the horse. We look forward to marching forward to the Kentucky Derby.”After breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs last fall, Commandment captured the one-turn mile Mucho Macho Man by 6 3/4 lengths Jan. 3 before adding a late-rallying victory by a neck in the Feb. 28 GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth.“He's big, but when he arrives in the paddock and knows when it's showtime, he kind of blows up a little bit,” Cox said. “He has great mind. I think that's one of the best things he has going for him. He's a Grade I winner now at the age of three. He's accomplished a lot in a short amount of time. Hopefully, we can keep him rolling. We look forward to the rest of the year with him.”Of his Oaks winner, Cox added, “She came out of the race in great shape. I'm very pleased with her and the progress she's made down here in Florida this winter,” Cox said. “We're looking forward to the Oaks with her.” The post Commandment ‘Looks Really Good’ After Giving Cox Florida Derby-Gulfstream Park Oaks Double appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.