The 2025 Kentucky Derby is looking brighter for Coal Battle, as he wins his second consecutive prep race for the prestigious event. On January 4, 2025, Coal Battle dominated the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park, showcasing a powerful front-running performance. His impressive victory added 10 points to his Kentucky Derby qualification total, setting him up for a promising run toward the Derby in May.
Coal Battle’s Victory in the Smarty Jones Stakes
Coal Battle, with jockey Juan Vargas aboard, made a bold statement in the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes for 3-year-olds at Oaklawn. The race, run at 1 1/16 miles, saw Coal Battle finish a solid four lengths ahead of his closest competitor, Mo Quality. The 6-5 favorite, Kale’s Angel, took third, another neck behind Mo Quality.
This victory was significant for Coal Battle, as it marked his second Kentucky Derby 2025 qualifying win, adding to his impressive resume. Earlier, he had earned 10 points in the Remington Springboard Mile Stakes, where he came from behind to secure the win. However, in the Smarty Jones, Coal Battle took a different approach, leading the race from start to finish, leaving his rivals in the dust.
A Winning Strategy: Front-Running Tactics
Unlike his previous race, where he came from behind, Coal Battle took an early lead in the Smarty Jones. With slow fractions of 24.11, 49.03, and 1:15.64, he was able to conserve energy and dominate in the stretch. Despite being closely shadowed by Kale’s Angel, Coal Battle had plenty left in the tank, holding a strong lead until the finish line. His final time was 1:46.43, a solid showing over the fast dirt track.
Jockey Juan Vargas was pleasantly surprised by Coal Battle’s ability to take the lead so easily. “He surprised me, the way he won. I never expected him to take the lead that easy,” Vargas said after the race. Trainer Lonnie Briley echoed Vargas’ sentiment, describing the performance as “big” and expressing his excitement about the horse’s improvement with each race. “He’s getting better and better,” Briley said. “He just seems to surprise us.”
The Road to the Kentucky Derby
With the Smarty Jones win, Coal Battle has earned 10 more points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby, bringing his total to 20 points. This puts him in a strong position as he heads into other major prep races for the Derby. His career earnings now stand at $453,875, with victories in the Jean Lafitte Stakes and the Springboard Mile. His next challenge will come in the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park on January 25, 2025.
Trainer Lonnie Briley is excited about Coal Battle’s potential. “I don’t know if it’s set in yet, having a Kentucky Derby candidate. It’s crazy for the little guy,” he said.
Coal Battle’s impressive front-running victory in the Smarty Jones Stakes has solidified his place as a top contender for the 2025 Kentucky Derby. With a solid strategy and a growing record, Coal Battle is on the right path toward achieving his Derby dreams. His consistent performances and impressive wins prove that he is a horse to watch in the coming months. As his connections continue to aim for bigger races, it will be exciting to see how Coal Battle performs in his journey to the Kentucky Derby.
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