Options aplenty for Coal Front after Razorback win

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Coal Front made an impression late last month at Oaklawn when he overcame post 14 to win his two-turn debut in the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap.

“We were very proud of him,” said trainer Todd Pletcher.

Coal Front is back home at Palm Beach Downs in Florida, and Pletcher said Wednesday the horse’s next move is being discussed with owners Bob LaPenta and Head of Plains Partners.

“He’s pretty versatile,” Pletcher said. “That gives us a lot of good options.”

Pletcher said they include the Group 2, $1.5 million Godolphin Mile on March 30 at Meydan Racecourse; the Grade 1, $400,000 Carter Handicap at seven furlongs April 6 at Aqueduct; or a return trip to Arkansas for the Grade 2, $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap on April 13.

“We’ll see how he trains,” said Pletcher.

Coal Front is a multiple graded stakes winner at one turn, and among his wins are the Grade 2 Amsterdam at Saratoga and the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector at Gulstream Park. The Godolphin Mile and Carter are one-turn races, while the Oaklawn Handicap will be run at two turns over 1 1/8 miles. Coal Front is a son of Travers winner Stay Thirsty.

Coal Front was one of two winners Pletcher had Feb. 18 at Oaklawn. He also won a maiden special weight worth $93,000 with first-time starter Intrepid Heart. The 3-year-old romped by seven lengths in the two-turn race and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 81. The colt by Tapit is a half-brother to Belmont Stakes runner-up Commissioner.

“Talking to the connections, no one’s in a huge rush to press to get to the Kentucky Derby,” said Pletcher, who trains the horse for Robert and Lawana Low. “We’ll see how things come about naturally.”

Pletcher said Outshine has put himself under consideration for the $1 million Rebel on March 16 after winning a first-level allowance over seven furlongs Feb. 10 at Gulfstream Park.

“It was first time off the bench,” he said. “We’ve been excited about getting him stretched out.”

Outshine, who earned an 83 Beyer, is a son of Malibu Moon who races for Let’s Go Stable and Richard Schibell.

Pletcher said Another Broad, who was fourth last out in the Grade 3 Royal Delta at Gulfstream, is being considered for the Grade 3, $350,000 Azeri on the same card as the Rebel.

The other stakes on the March 16 program, the $350,000 Essex, is one of two stakes being considered for Noble Indy, who was a flat fourth over a sloppy Gulfstream track Feb. 13 in his first start since the Dwyer Stakes last July. The other is the Grade 2, $400,000 New Orleans Handicap on March 23, an attractive race, said Pletcher, because Noble Indy won last year’s Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds.

◗ Factor This is a four-time winner facing some less-experienced rivals in the featured eighth race Friday at Oaklawn. The first-level allowance will be run over 1 1/16 miles. Other key players include On Patrol and Sonny Smack.