A thrilling weekend of Thoroughbred racing saw two standout performances in key Kentucky Derby prep races. Norman Stables’ Coal Battle delivered a commanding performance in the $1.25 million, Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Sunday, while California Burrito claimed victory in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park on Saturday.

Before an estimated crowd of 36,000 at Oaklawn, Coal Battle unleashed a powerful move on the second turn, surging to a 1 ¼-length victory over runner-up Madaket Road in the 1 1/16-mile Rebel Stakes. With the win, Coal Battle remained undefeated in five dirt starts and secured a coveted spot in the Kentucky Derby field by earning 50 qualifying points, bringing his total to 70—the highest among all contenders.

Trained by Lonnie Briley and ridden by jockey Juan Vargas, Coal Battle ($25.80) completed the race in 1:43.01 over a fast track. The Rebel Stakes, Oaklawn’s third of four Kentucky Derby prep races, awarded a total of 105 points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale to the top five finishers. Madaket Road set a swift pace with early fractions of :22.47, :45.76, and 1:10.94 before settling for second, finishing a half-length ahead of Sandman, the 5-2 favorite. Publisher, Tiztastic, Admiral Dennis, Hypnus, Brereton’s Baytown, Dreaminblue, Speed King, Hot Gunner, Innovator, and Smoken Wicked completed the order of finish. Bullard was scratched due to fever.

“My plan was just to follow the leaders,” said Vargas. “At the three-eighths pole, I began to move, and he just took off. He responded. I was so happy with that.”

The victory marked Coal Battle’s fourth consecutive stakes win, adding to his triumph in the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes on January 4. Briley opted to bypass the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) in late January, a decision that seems to have paid off. Purchased for $70,000 at the Texas Thoroughbred Association Yearling Sale, Coal Battle represents a remarkable success story for owner Robert Norman, an Alabama grocery store executive.

“He ran big,” Briley said. “He opened up on the field, and he caught the lead horse and went by him. What can I say? You couldn’t ask for more.”

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California Burrito Prevails in John Battaglia Memorial

A day earlier at Turfway Park, California Burrito delivered a front-running victory in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes, securing 20 Kentucky Derby points. Trained by Thomas Drury, Jr. and piloted by jockey Irving Moncada, the Army Mule colt fended off a prolonged challenge from post-time favorite Baby Max to win by a half-length.

With this victory, California Burrito joins the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 20 points. Maryland-bred Studlydoright finished fifth in the Battaglia and has six points toward Derby eligibility.