Coal Front made his first start around two turns a winning one, leading home a 'TDN Rising Star' exacta over Copper Bullet in Hot Springs Monday.
Away to a sharp start from the often-tricky post 14, Coal Front immediately locked horns with California invader All Out Blitz (Concord Point) heading into the first turn and the pair sparred through a sharp opening quarter-mile in :22.78. Coal Front allowed his pace rival to momentarily spurt clear after that juncture, but quickly reasserted himself heading into the far turn. Striking the front in mid-stretch, the dark bay dug in determinedly to hold off a persistent late bid from Copper Bullet to claim the victory. Longshot Rated R Superstar, who encountered some traffic trouble while closing from the back of the pack, settled for third at odds of 70-1.
Coal Front displayed significant talent from the outset of his career, capturing his first three starts, including the GII Amsterdam S. at Saratoga in July 2017. He added a victory in the GIII Gallant Bob S. in September of that year, but was subsequently sent to the sidelines for an extended layup. Returning to action 13 months later with a fifth-place finish in Aqueduct's GIII Bold Ruler S. Nov. 2, he got back on track with an authoritative score in the GIII Mr. Prospector S. at Gulfstream Dec. 22. The son of Stay Thirsty posted a steady series of drills at Todd Pletcher's Palm Beach Downs base in preparation for his two-turn debut.
Pedigree Notes:
Coal Front's dam Miner's Secret is an unraced half-sister to MGSW turfer Woodlander (Forestry), SW Admiral Alex (Afleet Alex) and to the dam of GSW Azar (Scat Daddy). In addition to SW/GSP Conquest Titan (Birdstone), Miner's Secret is represented by a 2-year-old filly by Pioneerof the Nile and a yearling colt by American Pharoah. She was bred to Arrogate last year.
Monday, Oaklawn Park
RAZORBACK H.-GIII, $500,000, Oaklawn, 2-18, 4yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:43.45, ft.
1–COAL FRONT, 120, r, 5, by Stay Thirsty
1st Dam: Miner's Secret, by Mineshaft
2nd Dam: Madam Lagonza, by Kingmambo
3rd Dam: Hire a Brain, by Seattle Slew
'TDN Rising Star' ($575,000 2yo '16 OBSAPR). O-Robert V.
LaPenta & Head of Plains Partners LLC; B-Michael Edward
Connelly (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-John R. Velazquez.
$300,000. Lifetime Record: 8-6-0-0, $777,280. *1/2 to
Conquest Titan (Birdstone), SW & GSP, $241,344.
Werk Nick Rating: F.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Copper Bullet, 117, c, 4, More Than Ready–Allegory, by
Unbridled's Song. 'TDN Rising Star' ($200,000 Ylg '16 KEESEP).
O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC & Willis Horton Racing LLC;
B-Dell Ridge Farm, LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $100,000.
3–Rated R Superstar, 119, g, 6, Kodiak Kowboy–Wicked Wish,
by Gold Case. O-Crystal Racing Enterprises & Contreras Stable
Inc.; B-ThornDale Stable LLC (KY); T-Cipriano Contreras.
$50,000.
Margins: NK, 1 1/4, 2. Odds: 1.30, 5.00, 79.90.
Also Ran: Sonneteer, All Out Blitz, Souper Tapit, Nun the Less, Remembering Rita, Rocking the Boat, M G Warrior, Nanoosh, Lone Rock, Thirstforlife, Tiz He the One. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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