Instant Coffee Returns to Stakes in Oaklawn Handicap

Once considered an early favorite on the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) trail, Instant Coffee  returns to graded stakes company for the first time in over a year as he faces 10 competitors in the 1 1/8-mile $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at Oaklawn Park April 20.

The son of Bolt d'Oro   had a hot start to his career. After a debut victory at Saratoga Race Course, he finished fourth behind eventual champion Forte  , Loggins  , and multiple graded stakes winner Red Route One  in the 2022 Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland before impressively taking the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs to end his 2-year-old season.

Starting his 3-year-old campaign at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Instant Coffee defeated eventual Kentucky Derby runner-up Two Phil's   with a 2 1/2-length victory in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) to cement himself as a leading contender during prep season for the first Saturday in May. However, it was not to be as he ran a dull sixth in the Louisiana Derby (G2), before being put on the shelf for 11 months.

Formerly trained by Brad Cox, Instant Coffee reemerged in the barn on Brittany Russell in a Feb. 17 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park. Pinched back to last at the start, the now 4-year-old colt swung wide and rallied well to finish third, beaten 4 1/2 lengths.

Video: Gulfstream Park, Race 10, AOC

He again switches barns as he is now under the care of Jose D'Angelo. Gold Square has owned the colt throughout his career to the tune of $460,115 in earnings.

In His Path

In his path to the winner's circle are several horses that show plenty of talent, but are not the most consistent at getting to the wire first.

• Red Route One won the New Orleans Classic (G2) at Fair Grounds March 23, marking his first victory since the 2023 West Virginia Derby (G3) last August. The 4-year-old Gun Runner   colt likes to come from off the pace and will need some help from the pace setters.
• Skippylongstocking  can be a reckoning force on his best day, as he was March 9 with 2 1/2 length win in the Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. However, he can also be puzzling, as he was Jan. 27 when he was pulled up on the backstretch during the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. later stated he believed his charged had overheated that day. 
• Reincarnate  returned from a four-month layoff March 3 at Santa Anita Park where he ran a strong third in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1). The Bob Baffert barn is hot at Oaklawn, having won the Arkansas Derby (G1) with Muth  and the Apple Blossom (G1) with Adare Manor  in the last few weeks.
• Octane  has been in great form recently. An eight-time winner from 18 starts, the 5-year-old Brethren   gelding earned his first graded victory last time out in Oaklawn's Razorback Handicap (G3) on Feb. 24.

The Oaklawn Handicap is race 11 with post time at 5:52 p.m. CT.