In the weeks leading up to the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 3, the US Racing handicappers will lay out $100 worth of betting options on selected races.
He doesn’t get a lot of love from the bettors. Fortunately, he can’t read the tote board, so his feelings aren't bruised.
The only ones aching are the players who failed to join his bandwagon. This time, there are still seats available at a respectable 7-2 morning line price.
Coal Battle’s pedigree and connections aren't fashionable, but dang, all he does is win. He is 5-for-7, including four straight stakes victories. The stakes streak started at Delta Downs in the Jean Lafitte Stakes and then on to Remington Park for the Springboard Mile.
The last two victories came here at Oaklawn in the Smarty Jones and the Rebel Stakes (G2), an 11-1 upset.
The colt already has enough points to qualify for the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1), and trainer Lonnie Briley considered training him up to the Derby. The horse is feeling good, and a huge pot ($1.5 million) is on the line, so why not take the shot?
While Coal Battle is battle-tested, Cornucopian, the 7-5 favorite, has only one race to his credit.
And what a race it was: a 5¾-length victory on Feb. 23 in 1:09.02, the fastest 6-furlong time in Oaklawn history for a 3-year-old maiden.
It was a brilliant display, but was it enough to merit the step up to a Grade 1 stakes and a stretch-out to 1 1/8 miles? We're about to find out.
Cornucopian will likely need a win or a second-place finish to make the 2025 Kentucky Derby. It might be a stretch, but he has a couple of formidable Hall of Fame supporters in his corner: jockey John Velazquez and trainer Bob Baffert, who is seeking a record sixth Arkansas Derby victory.
Breaking from the outside post, Cornucopian will undoubtedly employ the same front-running tactics as in the maiden win. Stamina, not raw ability, will tell his tale.
Tapit's son indicates that he prefers more distance than he’s been offered to this point. The 9-furlong Arkansas Derby will be his most extended test to date.
This is his third straight stakes effort at Oaklawn, and his closing moves were too little, too late, as he settled for second in the Southwest Stakes (G3) and third in the Rebel (G2).
This time, the 3-1 second choice can work that long Oaklawn stretch to his advantage.
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has put his stamp on this "Road to the Kentucky Derby" with a pair of memorable upsets: Magnitude (43-1) in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and Tiztastic (7-1) in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
He goes for the hat trick with Publisher at 6-1. The stretch-running colt will wear blinkers for the first time, so expect to see him more involved in the early stages.
Yes, Publisher is still a maiden, looking for his first win after six failures. Asmussen has been pulling rabbits out of his proverbial hat, so don't be shocked if this son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah is ultimately Derby-bound.
Total Investment: $100
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.
