Two out to repeat scenario

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Cool Coal Man and Bold Start used their one-two finish in a high-priced optional claiming race last January at Gulfstream Park as springboards to big years. The pair will meet again to begin their 2010 campaigns under similar conditions going seven furlongs on Friday, one of two $56,000 allowance races to be decided on the weekday card.

Cool Coal Man edged off to a 2 1/4-length decision over Bold Start in their previous meeting, earning a near-career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 106 for the performance. Cool Coal Man went on to win a pair of stakes by a combined 18 lengths later in the season for owner Robert LaPenta and trainer Nick Zito, also finishing second in two Grade 3 events.

Bold Start came back two weeks after chasing home Cool Coal Man to finish third in the Grade 2 Richter Scale. Three and a half months later, Bold Start became a Grade 3 winner when rallying to a 2 3/4-length triumph in the Aristides Stakes at Churchill Downs. Trained by Ken McPeek, Bold Start has not run since finishing far back in an overnight stakes at Saratoga on July 29.

Two other talented horses coming off lengthy vacations, Delightful Kiss and Giant Deputy, could test Cool Coal Man and Bold Start if ready off the bench.

Delightful Kiss has not started since Feb. 28, 2009 when he was outrun in the Grade 3 Canadian Turf. Delightful Kiss, a three-time Grade 3 winner, turned in perhaps the best performance of his career on opening day of the 2009 met, rallying from last place and more than a dozen lengths back in a 14-horse field to capture the Grade 3 Hal's Hope at a mile.

Giant Deputy will make his first start since posting a 100 Beyer Speed Figure winning a second-level optional claiming dash at Belmont Park in July of 2008. A son of Giant's Causeway, he was transferred to trainer Bruce Brown's barn earlier this month.

Friday's eighth race, carded at 1 1/8 miles on the turf, lured a field of 10 turf specialists, including the Kiaran McLaughlin-trained entry of Hujum and Danak.

Hujum is one two Irish-breds making their U.S. debuts here on Friday, along with Staying On, who was multiple Group 3-placed in Europe last summer.

The highly competitive contest also lured the multiple Grade 3 winner Sterwins, Grade 3 winner Bittel Road, stakes winner Society's Chairman, and multiple stakes winner Wheels Up at Noon, as well as with Pickapocket, Yate's Black Cat and Simmard.