Cool Coal Man delivers as Skip Away favorite

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Cool Coal Man powered to a two-length win over Sir Whimsey on Saturday in the $91,500 at Monmouth Park.

The 1 1/16-mile race drew a small but select field of five, including Bullsbay, the winner of the Grade 1 Whitney last summer at Saratoga.

As expected, the race unfolded with the New York-bred Mighty Morris setting the pace. Cool Coal Man was never far off, flanking the pacesetter as they ran down the backstretch through dawdling fractions of 25.57 and 50.42 seconds.

Elvis Trujillo turned Cool Coal Man, the 6-5 favorite, loose on the final turn and they took command from Mighty Morris. Gone Astray ranged up to challenge but could not stay with the new leader.

"The pace was so slow, but when I asked him he came home very well," Trujillo said.

Sir Whimsey, the longest shot in the field at 14-1, came off the rail to get second with Gone Astray third.

Bullsbay was fourth, followed by Mighty Morris.

The time was 1:43.89 on the fast track.

Cool Coal Man ($4.60) improved to 2-0-1 in three races at Monmouth