Coal Battle Heats Up With First Kentucky Derby Breeze

It was a frigid morning at Churchill Downs April 8, but Rebel Stakes (G2) winner Coal Battle  heated up his Kentucky Derby (G1) preparations by returning to the work tab for the first time since finishing third in the March 29 Arkansas Derby (G1).

With assistant trainer and exercise rider Bethany Taylor aboard, the son of Coal Front  easily clocked a half-mile in :48 2/5 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:02 2/5, according to clocker Adam Wallace.

"He did really good. He was a very happy boy this morning," Taylor said as she came off the track. "He loves this cold weather."

WATCH: Coal Battle 'Very Happy' In First Derby Breeze

Coal Battle spent the week following the Arkansas Derby training at Oaklawn Park before taking a long van ride to Churchill Downs April 6 to prepare for the $5 million Kentucky Derby May 3. He introduced himself to the dirt surface April 7 with about a 1 1/2-mile gallop.

"I was pretty happy with how happy he is after shipping and everything," Taylor said. "He's a lot fresher than I anticipated."

Racing for Norman Stables, Coal Battle has won five of eight starts—5-for-6 on dirt—for earnings of $1,188,875. Trainer Lonnie Briley was pleased with the Tuesday morning work, but even more pleased with how the colt cooled out.

"He looks like he didn't do anything," Briley said back at the barn. "He looked like he was cruising on that turn."

Briley confirmed to Churchill Downs publicity that regular jockey Juan Vargas will ride Coal Battle in the Kentucky Derby.