Fan Favorite Coal Battle Chasing 'Respect' In Indiana Derby
Nine 3-year-olds will enter the starting gate Saturday, July 5, for the 31st running of the Grade 3, $300,000 Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville, Ind. First post for the 13-race card is noon, with the Indiana Derby set as Race 12 with an estimated post time of 6:33 p.m.
One horse that received a lot of attention during the Kentucky Derby is Coal Battle from the barn of 72-year-old trainer Lonnie Briley. The Coal Front colt was a winner in the G3 Rebel Stakes before finishing third in the G1 Arkansas Derby and heading on to the Kentucky Derby (where he finished 11th). He comes into the Indiana Derby off a third-place finish in the G3 Matt Winn at Churchill Downs.
Bethany Taylor, assistant trainer to Lonnie Briley, trainer of Coal Battle said, 'Lonnie and the other owner (Rob Norman) made the decision to run him in the Indiana Derby. We needed a race between the Matt Winn and the Ellis Park Derby. He's doing great. He's very happy, bucking and playing. He's his normal self.'
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Coal Battle was third by a total of 1 1/4 lengths in Churchill Downs' G3 Matt Winn behind Grade 1 winners East Avenue and Burnham Square in his last start. He's ready to go for a start in the Indiana Derby.
'It was super tough,' noted Taylor, who also serves as the colt's exercise rider. 'There wasn't quite enough pace in there for us, so he didn't show that closing kick he normally does. He's not always gotten a ton of respect in the races we've put him in. Maybe now he'll get a little more respect.'
Trainer Brad Cox will attempt to win his third straight Indiana Derby title with Instant Replay, who has drawn post nine. The Maximum Security colt comes into the race off a win in the Texas Derby at Lone Star. Overall, the sophomore, owned by Mary and Gary West, has won four of eight starts in his career and is two for two at the Indiana Derby distance of one and one-sixteenth miles.
'It's a good spot for him,' noted Cox. 'Obviously, we don't have to ship quite as far. It's a solid race, but I think he fits with them. Hopefully he takes the next step. I think he ran a really good race in Texas and beat a decent group. I think the water is a little deeper here, that this is a little better group of horses.'
On going for third straight win and fourth overall in the Indiana Derby, Cox noted: 'It's a race that has been good to us. We're hoping this horse can be right there and move forward to some bigger and better things down the road.'
Joining Instant Replay as a contender for the Indiana Derby title is Publisher from the Steve Asmussen barn. The American Pharoah colt, who was a $600,000 purchase as a yearling, was on the Derby trail earlier this year, competing in the top three-year-old races en route to a start in the Kentucky Derby his last outing. He comes back to the track off a two-month layoff and will be ridden by Hall of Fame Jockey Mike Smith from post one.
The field for the Grade 3, $300,000 Indiana Derby
Publisher (Mike Smith);
Master Controller (Chris Emigh);
Coal Battle (Corey Lanerie);
Shan (Evin Roman);
Chunk of Gold (Jareth Loveberry);
Tip Top Thomas (John Velazquez);
Big Truzz (Declan Cannon);
Brotha Keny (Joe Ramos); and
Instant Replay (Luan Machado).
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Both Evin Roman and Joseph Ramos, a two-time leading jockey at Horseshoe Indianapolis, are members of the local jockey colony at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Also on the Saturday card is the 30th running of the Grade 3 $200,000 Indiana Oaks, presented by Daily Racing Form. The race features six three-year-old fillies. Deloraine, Graded Stakes placed entry for Godolphin and trainer Eoin Harty, will begin from post three with Mike Smith aboard. The Candy Ride filly finished third in both the Grade 3 Florida Oaks and Grade 3 Gazelle at Aqueduct, her last two races before the Indiana Oaks. The Indiana Oaks will be run at approximately 5:55 p.m. as Race 11 just before the Indiana Derby.
A total of eight premier races will be featured on Indiana Derby Day. The afternoon program is complemented by numerous activities including a $3,000 Derby Megabet, $2,500 Derby Legends Handicapping Contest, courtesy of the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, $1,000 Derby Hat Contest, courtesy of the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, cigar rolling station, strolling entertainment, food trucks and more. Free parking and general admission are available for the Indiana Derby, which is open to guests of all ages on the racing side of the property.
The 23rd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing runs through Thursday, Nov. 13. For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find details on social media @HSIndyRacing.
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
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