Next-race plans remain pending for Rebel Stakes (G2) winner and Kentucky Derby (G1) candidate Coal Battle, trainer Lonnie Briley said March 9.
Briley said Coal Battle is under consideration for the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) March 29 at Oaklawn Park and the $1.25 million Blue Grass Stakes (G1) April 5 at Keeneland. Both races are 1 1/8 miles. A third option, Briley said, is Coal Battle training up to the May 3 Kentucky Derby.
"I'm going to leave it up to him," Briley said. "If he's ready to run, we'll probably run here. If he's not, I'll wait for the Derby. I mean, they've got some tough horses out there right now, making all these preps and stuff."
Coal Battle secured a spot in the Kentucky Derby with a victory in the $1.25 million Rebel Stakes at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 23. Coal Battle opened 2025 with a victory in the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 4 at Oaklawn. His first victory on the Derby trail came in the $300,000 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes at Remington Park.
Coal Battle currently tops the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 70 points. The race is limited to 20 starters.
Coal Battle returned to the work tab for the first time since the Rebel March 5 at Oaklawn, covering a half mile in :49 2/5. Briley said he is scheduled to work again March 12. The son of millionaire and five time graded/group stakes winner Coal Front is perfect in five career dirt starts.
Speed King, who is pointing for the Arkansas Derby, recorded a five-furlong bullet workout in :59 2/5 Sunday morning at Oaklawn for trainer Ron Moquett of Hot Springs. The track was muddy.
Speed King won the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) Jan. 25 at Oaklawn before finishing 10th in the Rebel.
