Coal Battle - Kentucky Derby Context

Coal Battle, a popular colt with lesser-known connections, recorded his first three wins at Evangeline Downs, Delta Downs, and Remington Park. He posted a minor upset in December’s Springboard Mile, a Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifier at the latter venue. He proved to be a serious contender at Oaklawn Park this winter, showing his versatility by recording a frontrunning win in the Smarty Jones and rallying from midpack to take the Rebel (G2) at 11-1. The sophomore overtook the pacesetters before weakening to third in the Arkansas Derby (G1). He may not have been fully cranked last time after four consecutive wins, rating as a potential rebound candidate in the Kentucky Derby, but the 1 1/4-mile distance looms a question with his breeding. But hard-trying Coal Battle has made a career out of exceeding expectations. 

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OWNER: Coal Battle will be the first Kentucky Derby starter for Norman Stables (Robbie Norman).

TRAINER: Coal Battle has put 72-year-old Lonnie Briley, who has never attended the Kentucky Derby, in the spotlight. A mainstay at Delta Downs, Midwestern-based Briley earned his first graded stakes victory in this year’s Rebel. He’s won 338 races since 1991, according to Equibase.

JOCKEY: Juan Vargas, a 43-year-old veteran rider from Peru, has gained national attention due to Coal Battle. Based during the year at Delta Downs and other Louisiana tracks, Vargas will make his first Kentucky Derby appearance.

BREEDER: Bred in Kentucky by Hume Wornall and Jay Adcock, Coal Battle sold for $70,000 as a yearling at the 2023 Texas Thoroughbred Association sale. He will be their first Kentucky Derby starter.

SIRE: Coal Battle is the most successful offspring from the second crop of Coal Front, who recorded graded stakes wins at six furlongs, 6 1/2 furlongs, seven furlongs, a mile, and 1 1/16 miles. By 2011 Travers (G1) winner and Belmont (G1) runner-up Stay Thirsty, Coal Front counts 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew as an ancestor on both sides of his pedigree.

DAM: Coal Battle is the first foal to race out of the stakes-placed Wolfblade, a West Virginia-bred daughter of Midshipman who competed exclusively in sprints over a 39-race career. By Unbridled’s Song, Midshipman was named champion two-year-old male after winning the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). He missed the Triple Crown the following spring and never raced at a route again, recording a pair of wins sprinting. Midshipman didn’t make any impact on the Triple Crown before being relocated to South America. From a limited sample as a broodmare sire, he’s best known for Grade 1-winning turf sprinter Golden Pal. Wolfblade is out of a mare by Grade 1-winning sprinter Latent Heat, a son of Maria’s Mon, who sired 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos and 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver.

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