Coal Battle grabs Derby points with Springboard Mile upset

Coal Battle picked up 10 points toward the Kentucky Derby on Friday night when he closed for a half-length win over Speed King in the $300,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park. It was another five lengths back in third to Dominant Spirit.

The Springboard Mile anchored a card of six stakes on the closing night program. The race offered the first five finishers points for the Derby, with Speed King earning 5; Dominant Spirit, 3; fourth-place finisher Dr Ruben M, 2; and fifth-place finisher Jolly Samurai, 1.

Coal Battle ($15.80) broke well and settled off the pace as Speed King set the fractions while pushed along by Dr Ruben M - the pair racing through an opening quarter in 23.93 seconds, a half-mile in 47.46, and six furlongs in 1:12.21.

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Coal Battle advanced on the final turn, and in the stretch took after Speed King, who shook Dr Ruben M and went on as Coal Battle closed in on the leader with each passing stride to edge that one and cover the distance on a fast track in 1:39.25.

“I had planned to be in the middle of the pack and wait until the three-eighths to make my move,” winning rider Juan Vargas told the publicity department at Remington. “He is just getting better and better. This was good for him.”

Lonnie Briley trains Coal Battle for Norman Stables. The son of Coal Front won his second straight stakes race, behind the Jean Lafitte, a two-turn race run over 6 1/2 furlongs at Delta Downs.

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