Kentucky Derby trail: 2 Smarty Jones entrants lead works

Photo: Renee Torbit

Two of the major contenders in Saturday's Smarty Jones at Oaklawn worked Monday over the Hot Springs track.

Kale's Angel, the 2-1 second choice in the Smarty Jones, went five furlongs in 1:02.6. The Peter Miller-trained son of Complexity started his career in California but broke through at the stakes level at Oaklawn on Dec. 6 with a 5 3/4-length blowout in the Advent Stakes over odds-on Innovator.

Coal Battle, the 9-2 third choice in Saturday's Kentucky Derby points race in Hot Springs, covered three furlongs in 38.0 seconds. Trained by Lonnie Briley, the son of Coal Front won the Remington Springboard Mile in his most recent start Dec. 13.

As of Sunday night, Kale's Angel was at 75-1 in the Kentucky Derby futures book at Caesars in Las Vegas. Coal Battle was 100-1 in that book. Neither Kale's Angel nor Coal Battle was an individual interest in pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager through Churchill Downs.

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These three horses in Kentucky Derby futures worked across the country Monday.

Coal Battle (Coal Front) worked three furlongs in 38.0 seconds at Oaklawn on Monday morning. It was the seventh fastest of eight works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he won the Remington Springboard Mile going one mile on the main track at Remington Park on Dec. 13 for trainer Lonnie Briley.

Kale's Angel (Complexity) worked five furlongs in 1:02.6 at Oaklawn on Monday morning. It was the 27th fastest of 41 works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going four furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he won the Advent going 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Oaklawn on Dec. 6 for trainer Peter Miller.

Neoequos (Neolithic) worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Monday morning. It was the 25th fastest of 36 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he placed second in the FTBOA Florida Sire Affirmed going seven furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Oct. 19 for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

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