Baffert's Derby Trio - Gaming, Getaway Car, Citizen Bull
Baffert's Derby Trio: Gaming, Getaway Car, Citizen Bull
Gaming, having amassed 15 points from his runner-up finish to stablemate Citizen Bull in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), finished third in the Futurity and secured three points, moving into second place on the Derby leaderboard with a total of 18 points. Getaway Car, who earned five points in the Futurity by coming in second, now holds 16 Derby points and stands in third place. Citizen Bull leads the pack with an impressive 40 points - 30 from the BC Juvenile and 10 from winning the American Pharoah (G1). It's early in the race to the Derby on May x, but Baffert's resurgence is already evident after his three-year ban from the Derby by Churchill Downs.
These three horses from Baffert's stable are showing great promise and are likely to be key players as the Derby approaches. Their performances in various races have already set them apart and have fans and experts alike eagerly anticipating their next moves.
Coal Battle's Derby Trail Victory
Coal Battle ($15.80) emerged as a surprise winner in the $300,000 Springboard Mile, outpacing the pace-setting favorite Speed Demon in a thrilling stretch duel. Trained by Lonnie Briley, this 2-year-old bay colt started at the back of the field of 12 but made a powerful four-wide move at the top of the lane under jockey Juan Vargas. He challenged Speed Demon through the stretch and managed to snatch the lead just before the wire, winning by a half-length and moving onto the Derby trail.
Briley's horse, a three-time winner in five starts at five different tracks, will now make his next appearance at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Arkansas, for the 3-year-old debut in the Southwest Stakes (G3) on Jan. 25. Coal Battle's versatility was on full display as he won on grass, over a sloppy track, and on a fast track on Friday. The winning time of 1:39.25 further solidifies his place as a contender.
Jockey Vargas had a well-thought-out plan going into the race, but the closing from last to first was a testament to Coal Battle's determination and improving abilities. "I had planned to be in the middle of the pack and wait till the three-eighths to make my move," Vargas said. "He is just getting better and better. This was good for him."
Journalism's Los Alamitos Futurity Triumph
Supplemented to the race for $7,500, Journalism ($7.60) delivered a stunning victory, winning by 3 ½ lengths over Baffert's other horses (Getaway Car, 1-2 favorite Gaming, and Mellencamp) in a five-horse field. A 2-year-old Curlin colt, Journalism stalked the leaders Getaway Car and Gaming before moving past them in the stretch and winning easily, earning 10 Derby qualifying points.
The winning time of 1:43.04 was a testament to Journalism's speed and determination. Trainer Michael McCarthy expressed his confidence in the horse, saying, "It was either a race like this or the (San Vicente) at 7 furlongs. We gave this horse every opportunity not to run today, but he had two wonderful works, and he was very cool and composed in the paddock. He’s picking things up fast."
You could see from the start that Journalism was a force to be reckoned with. He took a bit to get his feet underneath him, but once he leveled off in the lane, he was unstoppable. This victory cements his place among the top contenders for the Kentucky Derby.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.