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Cool Coal Man's First Foal is a Colt

The first reported foal by Robert LaPenta's grade II winner Cool Coal Man is a colt born Jan. 20 in Ocala, Fla.

First Mare in Foal to Cool Coal Man

Grade II winner Cool Coal Man had his first mare confirmed in foal. The mare, Bahrina (by Bahri), is owned by Rick Sutherland.

Cool Coal Man to Hartley/DeRenzo in Florida

Cool Coal Man, a grade II-winning son of Mineshaft, will stand the 2011 breeding season at Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds in Ocala, Florida for a fee of $5,000.

Tizway Makes the Grade in Kelso Handicap

Tizway swept past Jersey Town at the top of the lane and easily pulled clear of the field en route to a five-length win in the $250,000 Kelso Handicap (gr. II) Oct. 3 at Belmont Park.

Le Grand Cru Tries to Defend Kelso Crown

Regal Ransom is the 2-1 favorite in the $250,000 Kelso Handicap (gr. II), which is scheduled for dirt for the first time. Le Grand Cru won the off-the-turf race in 2009.

Regal Ransom Wins, Timber Reserve Euthanized

Godolphin Stable's Regal Ransom will likely return to graded stakes competition after winning a nine-furlong optional claimer by 3 1/4 lengths in gate-to-wire fashion Sept. 1 at Saratoga.

Discreetly Mine: Enigma of Aptitude, Pedigree

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
His pedigree shouts stamina but Discreetly Mine--winner Aug. 28 of the grade I King's Bishop Stakes--seems intent on proving himself as a top sprinter.

Large Fields Highlight Opening Day at Spa

Saratoga will kick off its 142nd meet with a stellar opening day card, highlighted by the $100,000 Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-old fillies and the $75,000 James Marvin Stakes that drew a field of 10

Arson Squad Defeats Solid Alysheba Field

Jay Em Ess Stable's Arson Squad took over at the top of the lane and bounded home for his second straight graded stakes score in the $169,650 Alysheba Stakes (gr. III) April 30 at Churchill Downs.

Friesan Fire Returns to CD for the Alysheba

The Alysheba Stakes (gr. III) April 30 at Churchill Downs the day before the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) is a homecoming of sorts for some former Kentucky Derby contestants.

Tough Gulfstream 'Cap Attracts Cool Coal Man

Graded stakes winners Cool Coal Man and Grasshopper drew the top weight assignments as part of a contentious field for the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) March 13.

Rachel Holds Off Macho Again in Woodward

Rachel Alexandra cemented herself as one of the best fillies of all-time in a race for the ages, as she set a suicidal pace and then was all out under Calvin Borel to hold off a bold charge from Macho Again to win the $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) by a head in electrifying fashion Sept. 5 at Saratoga.

That Handicapping Show: The Woodward (Video)

Jason, Tom, and Rich Nilsen of twinspires.com preview the Woodward Stakes (gr. I). Plus picks for the Forego (gr. I).

Woodward Analysis: Target Rachel?

Please note the following analysis was written by someone with a glass-is-half-empty mentality and is not meant to frighten, upset, or antagonize Rachel Alexandra fans and zealots. So, read at your own risk.

Rachel to Face 7 Males in Historic Woodward

On Sept. 5 at Saratoga, Rachel Alexandra will seek history when trying to become the first female to win the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) -- a feat that would almost certainly lock up Horse of the Year honors and stamp the 3-year-old as one of the best fillies of all time.

That Handicapping Show: The Suburban

Jason, Evan, and special guest Les Instone of Twinspires.com preview the Suburban (gr. II) at Belmont Park on July 4.

It's a Bird Flying High For Suburban 'Cap

Edmund Gann's It's a Bird, winner of consecutive graded stakes and three of his last four overall, will try to continue his top form when facing nine rivals in the $400,000 Suburban Handicap (gr. II) July 4 at Belmont Park.

Bullsbay Rides Rail for Alysheba Win

Bullsbay, a 5-year-old son of Tiznow, benefitted from a rail-skimming ride by Jeremy Rose to wear down Cool Coal Man and win the grade III Alysheba Stakes on the Kentucky Oaks undercard May 1 at Churchill Downs.

Barrier Reef One to Beat in Excelsior

It's been three up and three down this year at Aqueduct for Barrier Reef headed into Saturday's Excelsior Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. III) at the New York track.

Smooth Air Takes Gulfstream Park 'Cap

Mount Joy Stables' 4-year-old Florida homebred Smooth Air wore down the leaders in the deep stretch of the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) March 14 at Gulfstream Park to score a 1 1/4-length decision over Rolbea Throughbred Racing's 5-year-old Finallymadeit.

Smooth Air Set Up Well For Gulf 'Cap

If his last race is any indication, Mount Joy Stables' Smooth Air should be set up for a big run in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) on March 14 at Gulfstream Park, a race that has been shortened from 1 3/16 miles to one mile this season.

Jerome Pace Scenario Favors Da' Tara

Da' Tara, who exploited a field lacking speed to the fullest in winning the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), could be in a position to do it again in the $150,000 Jerome Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park Oct. 5.

Wide-Open Field Set For Travers

Other than Big Brown, no 3-year-old has separated itself from the rest of the pack in 2008. That could all change Aug. 23 at Saratoga, as a full field of 12 will go to post in the $1 million Travers Stakes Presented by Shadwell Farm (gr. I), each horse seeking its place in history by attempting to win one of the oldest and most prestigious Thoroughbred races in North America.

Pyro Morning Line Favorite for Travers

A field of 12 was entered Aug. 20 for the $1-million Travers Presented by Shadwell Farm at Saratoga Aug. 23.

Da' Tara Fires 'Bullet' Work For Travers

Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Da' Tara fired a bullet work Aug. 15, and along with Jim Dandy (gr. II) winner Macho Again, head the likely field for the Aug. 23 Travers (gr. I).

Travers Field Begins to Take Shape

According to New York Racing Association Stakes coordinator Andrew Byrnes, Acai, Colonel John, Da' Tara, Harlem Rocker, Macho Again, Mambo in Seattle, Pyro, Tale of Ekati, and Tres Borrachos are probable for the Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga.

Big Brown Delivers Gutty Haskell Win

It certainly wasn't as impressive as his wins in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) or Preakness (gr. I), but Big Brown got the job done in the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) before 45,132 spectators at Monmouth Park Aug. 3.

Six to Challenge Big Brown in Haskell

Six 3-year-olds, including three stakes winners, have been entered to face dual classic winner Big Brown in the $1-million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) Aug. 3 at Monmouth Park.

Truth Rules Out of Haskell; Coal Play In

Long Branch (gr. III) winner Truth Rules will miss the $1-million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) Aug. 3 due to a fever, and will be replaced by Coal Play, trainer Nick Zito said Wednesday

Big Brown Heads List of Haskell Invitees

A total of 33 horses have been invited to the 41st running of Monmouth Park's $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I), with Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Big Brown expected to head the field in the 1 1/8-mile event Aug. 3.

Name Games: Origins of Derby Monikers

In our quest to discover the origins of names belonging to Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contenders, we discovered a diamond mine, picked up some basketball lingo, learned Indonesian, and found out what brown can do for us. Here are the stories behind the names of a few runners going into this year's first Saturday in May.

Haskin's Derby Report: Early Thoughts

Well, Big Brown finally is here and the racing world had its first look at the likely Kentucky Derby favorite and its first encounter with his colorful trainer Rick Dutrow.

It's Wait And See For Injured War Pass

Colt will be re-X-rayed after two months.

Ky. Derby Trail: Welcome to Louisville

The first morning at Churchill Downs brought sunny skies and warm temperatures, as the Kentucky Derby horses began their final stretch to racing's biggest day. From here on, there is no room for error. We'll give a brief rundown of the day's activities and continue with the plusses and minuses of each contender.

Daily Derby Notes: April 24

Cool Coal Man Works; Big Brown Zips at Palm Meadows; Anak Nakal to work Friday.

Leparoux Gets New View of Cool Coal Man

Cool Coal Man, who ran ninth in the April 12 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), worked a half mile in :47 2/5 under exercise rider Megan Smillie at Churchill Downs April 24.

Full Field of 20 Expected for Derby

In spite of the shocking news of the Triple Crown trail-ending injury to 2007 juvenile champion male War Pass and the apparent decision to forego the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) for a run in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) by the connections of Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) winner Behindatthebar, a 20-horse field is still being predicted for the 134th Run for the Roses May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Ky. Derby Trail: Monba King

Well, should we talk about the vagaries of Polytrack form for the umpteenth time or concentrate on the weekend's racing?

LaPenta to Pyro: Watch Out in Blue Grass

Robert LaPenta jokingly discusses his Blue Grass Stakes strategy during a preview dinner at Keeneland April 10.

Blue Grass Stakes Draw Video

Video coverage and interviews from the April 9 post position draw for the Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), to be run Sat., Apr. 9 at Keeneland.

Cool Coal Man Sharp in Churchill Work

Robert LaPenta's Cool Coal Man, a major contender for the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), prepped for a planned run in the April 12 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland with a sharp half-mile work at Churchill Downs April 3.

Classic Spotlight: Cool Coal Man

How does the expression go? When one door closes another one opens? Well, not only did one door close for Robert LaPenta and Nick Zito, it hit them right in the face. That door was their pride and joy War Pass becoming unhinged in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III). But, fortunately for them, behind door No. 2, stands Cool Coal Man.

Zito Works a Pair of Contenders

Halsey Minor's 3-year-old Fierce Wind drilled a bullet half-mile in 46 4/5 over a fast track at Palm Meadows March 24 for trainer Nick Zito in preparation for the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park March 29.

Adriano Impresses in Lane's End S.

Adriano gave trainer Graham Motion plenty to think about with an impressive win in the $500,000 Lane's End Stakes (gr. II) at Turfway Park March 22.

Elysium Fields Readies for Florida Derby

Robert Evans' Elysium Fields, runner-up in last month's $350,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), worked March 12 at Gulfstream Park in preparation for the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) Mar. 29.

War Pass and Pyro Head Derby Pool 2

Unbeaten 2-year-old champion War Pass, winner of the $2-million Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), and Pyro, the runner-up in the Juvenile and winner of the Risen Star Stakes (gr. III), are the early favorites for Pool 2 of Churchill Downs' 2008 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opens Mar. 6.

Ky. Derby Trail: The Cat and the Colonel

So, did Saturday's Sham Stakes (gr. III) showcase two exceptional 3-year-olds or was it simply about two top horses running agonizingly slow early and coming home fast late over a synthetic surface? We'll know the answer when they hit the quarter pole at Churchill Downs on May 3.

Pyro, Cool Coal Man Top Blue Grass Noms

Risen Star Stakes (gr. III) winner Pyro and Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) winner Cool Coal Man headline a talented roster of 167 3-year-olds nominated to Keeneland's $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), to be held Saturday, April 12.

Cool Coal Man Makes It Two

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter

Another Triple Crown contender by a son of A.P. Indy is hot on the Derby trail. A couple of weeks ago it was Pyro, a son of Pulpit. Now it is Cool Coal Man, a colt by Mineshaft who recently won the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) against a field of top challengers. He is extending the success already seen when A.P. Indy is crossed with Fappiano-line mares.

Fountain of Youth Timing Adjusted

The fractions and final time for the Feb. 24 Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) have been adjusted, with Gulfstream Park's official final time for the 1 1/8-mile race now to be listed as 1:50.07.