Coil, winner of the Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I), worked a mile in 1:38 4/5 at Santa Anita Sept. 20. Trainer Bob Baffert is pointing the 3-year-old colt to either the $500,000 Indiana Derby (gr. II) at Hoosier Park or the $250,000 Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita, both on Oct. 1.
The official clockers caught Coil going five furlongs in 1:00 1/5, but Baffert said he actually worked the colt a mile. Baffert timed Coil in 1:38 4/5 and was pleased with the colt’s effort.
Coil hasn’t run since finishing last in the Aug. 27 Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga. He won the June 11 Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) and finished second in the July 9 Swaps Stakes (gr. II) at Hollywood Park prior to his Haskell score.
“You can draw a line through the Travers,” said Baffert. “He never worked well at Saratoga. He broke well and then Martin (Garcia) took him back and Coil lost interest. I’m more upset with myself—I should have brought him home.”
Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman own Coil, a son of Baffert-trained Horse of the Year Point Given out of the Theatrical mare Eversmile.
Baffert, who has won the last two runnings of the Indiana Derby with champion Lookin At Lucky and Misremembered , is pointing Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) winner Game On Dude to the Goodwood.
Game On Dude worked a mile in 1:38 2/5 at Santa Anita Sept. 12. Bernie Schiappa, Diamond Pride, the Lanni Family Trust, and Mercedes Stable own Game On Dude, a 4-year-old gelding by Awesome Again —Worldly Pleasure, by Devil His Due.
