The path to the Kentucky Derby continues to heat up as several promising contenders made notable strides this week. Coal Battle, a horse on an impressive winning streak, including two consecutive Kentucky Derby points races, completed another successful workout at Delta Downs. Meanwhile, other hopefuls like Colloquial and Ferocious also demonstrated their readiness through rigorous training sessions. Coal Battle's performance has garnered attention, with his odds shifting in recent future wager pools. The coming weeks will be crucial for these young athletes as they prepare for the ultimate test of speed and endurance.
Coal Battle, under the guidance of trainer Lonnie Briley, has been making waves in the racing world. After claiming victory in the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park on January 4th, the colt has maintained its momentum. On Friday morning, Coal Battle tackled four furlongs in an impressive 49.8 seconds at Delta Downs, marking his second workout since the Smarty Jones triumph. This time was notably quick, ranking fifth out of 24 horses that covered the same distance. The son of Coal Front has shown remarkable consistency, having previously worked four furlongs at Delta Downs just nine days ago. His victories in the Springboard Mile at Remington Park and the Jean Laffitte Stakes further solidify his status as a rising star.
Meanwhile, Colloquial, trained by George Weaver, put in a strong performance at Palm Beach Downs. The colt, sired by Vekoma, clocked five furlongs in 1:01.9, placing fifth among seven horses at the distance. This workout comes ten days after his previous four-furlong session at the same track. Despite finishing second in a maiden race at Belmont Park last June, Colloquial has shown steady improvement, positioning him as a contender to watch.
Ferocious, under the direction of Gustavo Delgado, also had a productive Friday. The Flatter progeny completed five furlongs in 1:01.8 at Gulfstream Park, securing the ninth-fastest time among 18 horses at the distance. Eight days prior, Ferocious had worked four furlongs at the same venue. Although he placed fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in November, his consistent workouts indicate he is gearing up for a stronger showing in the upcoming derby season.
As the Kentucky Derby approaches, trainers and owners are closely monitoring the progress of these equine athletes. Coal Battle's recent performance and improving odds suggest he could be a dark horse in the race. With each workout, these horses inch closer to proving their mettle on one of the most prestigious stages in thoroughbred racing. The next few months will reveal whether their hard work translates into success on the first Saturday in May.