After conquering a third consecutive stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby in the $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park Feb. 23, and improving his overall dirt record to a perfect 5-for-5, Norman Stables' Coal Battle surged into the third position in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old Poll, released Feb. 25.
The son of Coal Front was rated off a hot pace by jockey Juan Vargas before making a sweeping move at the three-eighths pole to put himself in contention at the top of the stretch. After a duel with pacesetter Madaket Road, he pulled away from his foe to win by 1 3/4 lengths for trainer Lonnie Briley.
Coal Battle's Success Shines Light on Red River Farms
The victory earned five first-place votes from the members of the national media who vote on the weekly poll, second most behind champion Citizen Bull's 19 first-place votes. Coal Battle earned 50 qualifying points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby to move to the top of that list with 70 points overall.
With three Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races slated for March 1, the rankings are likely to see a major shake-up. Among the contenders Saturday are second-ranked Barnes and seventh-ranked Journalism in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park and fourth-ranked Burnham Square in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
Meanwhile, racing in the Saudi Arabian desert over the weekend saw two changes to the Top Thoroughbred Poll. Champion sprinter Straight No Chaser rose to fourth following a dominant performance in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) while Saudi Cup (G1) victor Forever Young joined the top 10 in eighth.
