Report: Coal Battle is pointed to Oklahoma Derby

HRN staff
Photo: John Voorhees / Eclipse Sportswire

Coal Battle will make his next start in the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park on Sept. 28, Daily Racing Form reported.

The $70,000 yearling purchase rose to prominence on the Kentucky Derby trail, where he won the Remington Springboard Mile, Smarty Jones and Rebel (G2) and was third in the Arkansas Derby (G1). Coal Battle has had two starts since finishing 12th in the Kentucky Derby, finishing third in the Matt Winn (G3) and second by a half-length to Tip Top Thomas in the Indiana Derby (G3) on July 5.

He hasn't worked since the Indiana Derby, and owner Robert Norman told DRF he and trainer Lonnie Briley decided to give the Coal Front colt time off. He said the Oklahoma Derby was a good target because Coal Battle “likes the surface and we like racing at Remington Park.”

Coal Battle has a record of 11: 5-1-2 and earnings of $1.3 million.

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