Coal Battle turns in first work since arriving at Churchill
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Coal Battle has wasted no time getting acquainted with Churchill Downs. Some 36 hours after arriving in Louisville, the colt turned in his first local breeze toward the Kentucky Derby, going a half-mile in 48.40 seconds on Tuesday morning beneath the twin spires.
With trainer Lonnie Briley’s assistant, Bethany Taylor, aboard, Coal Battle clicked off an opening quarter-mile in 24 seconds and galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.40, according to Churchill clocker Adam Wallace.
Coal Battle won four straight stakes, including the Smarty Jones and Grade 2 Rebel at Oaklawn, before finishing third in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on March 29.
“He was too fresh in the Arkansas Derby,” Briley said. “I usually never have to saddle him on the walk, but I had to that day. Then, after he broke and Cornucopian and Speed King went blazing to the lead, we were in third. He was just too fresh. We have a plan now going forward for the Derby to get him in the right place.”
Coal Battle arrived at Churchill Downs at about 6 p.m. Sunday evening, vanning in from Oaklawn.
“It was a long drive getting to Churchill but we’re getting settled in,” said Briley, who will be saddling his first Derby starter. “He’s a pretty laid-back horse. If he’s not lying down, he’s usually at the back of his stall just relaxing. He knows when it’s game time.”
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