Kentucky Derby Update: Coal Battle, Admire Daytona (JPN) Work Half-Miles for Derby 151; La Cara Fires Bullet for Oaks

Apr 22, 2025

Norman Stables’ Coal Battle and Junko Kondo’s UAE Derby (GII) winner Admire Daytona (JPN) put in half-mile works for Kentucky Derby 151 over a fast track on a Chamber of Commerce Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs.

Working during the 7:15-7:30 a.m. (all times Eastern) training window reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders, Coal Battle was the first to go, clocking a half-mile in :47.80 under Bethany Taylor. Fractions were :12.40, :24.60, :47.80, and out five furlongs in 1:00.80.

Admire Daytona, with Yoshimitsu Miyashita aboard, worked in :53.20 starting at the three-eighths pole, with splits of :13, :39.20, and :53.20.

In between those works, Tracy Farmer’s Longines Kentucky Oaks hopeful La Cara turned in the fastest of 30 half-mile moves, going in :46 with Kevin Donnis aboard. Fractions were :11.60, :22.60, :34.20, :46, and out five furlongs in :58.60 and three-quarters in 1:12.20.

Scheduled to work Wednesday is D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables’ Sandman for trainer Mark Casse.

ADMIRE DAYTONA (JPN) – Junko Kondo’s UAE Derby winner had his first serious move over the Churchill Downs surface Tuesday morning, recording a half-mile in :53.20 under exercise rider/assistant trainer Yoshimitsu Miyashita.

Admire Daytona warmed up in the one-mile chute for about 10 minutes, then walked clockwise to the finish line. After briefly standing at the wire, he jogged back to the chute, stood for approximately five minutes, then began his work.

The son of Drefong started picking up his gallop at the half-mile pole and, from the three-furlong marker, worked through splits of :13 and :39.20.

“With only three weeks between races, we just prepped him the same way we did in Dubai,” Miyashita said. “We let him decide what he wanted to do over the four furlongs. He increased his speed a bit in the straight on his own and really it was exactly like the kind of work he turned in prior to the UAE Derby. He has managed to maintain his pre-UAE Derby physical condition perfectly so we just have to help him keep it until race day.”

AMERICAN PROMISE – BC Stables’ American Promise, with exercise rider Tayja Smith aboard, galloped about 1 ¼ miles at 6:15 a.m. with trainer D. Wayne Lukas observing from his pony on the backstretch.

The chestnut son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify drew an appreciative nod from Lukas as he walked the shedrow following training.

“He’s just growing into his frame,” Lukas said of the Virginia Derby winner. “He won’t be 3 until May 17.”

American Promise will be ridden in Derby 151 by Nik Juarez, who will make his Kentucky Derby debut. Juarez is scheduled to ride Thursday at Oaklawn Park and will travel to Louisville on Friday.

BUILT – Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Built galloped at 7:15 a.m. with trainer Wayne Catalano watching from the backstretch.

BURNHAM SQUARE – Whitham Thoroughbreds’ Burnham Square, winner of the Blue Grass Stakes (GI), galloped during the Derby/Oaks training window with Mark Cutler aboard for trainer Ian Wilkes.

Burnham Square is expected to work Saturday.

CHUNK OF GOLD – Terry Stephens’ Louisiana Derby runner-up galloped at Turfway Park under trainer Ethan West.

The son of Preservationist is scheduled to work Friday.

CITIZEN BULL / RODRIGUEZ – Trainer Bob Baffert’s duo of Citizen Bull and Rodriguez are expected to arrive at Churchill Downs on Thursday.

Their flight is scheduled to land in Indianapolis at 1:30 p.m.

COAL BATTLE – Norman Stables’ Coal Battle breezed a half-mile in :47.80 during the Derby/Oaks training window under Bethany Taylor. Fractions were :12.40, :24.60, :47.80, and out five furlongs in 1:00.80. The time was the third fastest of 30 at the distance.

“I was thrilled with it. He keeps getting better every time he goes out there,” Taylor said after Coal Battle’s third local work. “He is improving every time.”

Trainer Lonnie Briley, who watched alongside jockey Juan Vargas, was pleased with the move.

“It was good and he came back like he hadn’t done anything, not even taking a drink of water,” Briley said.

Briley plans a three-eighths blowout next week.

“Four or five days before a race, I like to give them a three-eighths blowout to put some air in their lungs,” he said.

EAST AVENUE – Godolphin’s East Avenue, runner-up in the Blue Grass Stakes, trained earlier than usual Tuesday at 5:15 a.m., galloping about 1 ½ miles under Stephen Dolan with trainer Brendan Walsh watching from his stable pony.

FINAL GAMBIT / TAPPAN STREET – Things are picking up in trainer Brad Cox’s Barn 22 at Churchill Downs.

Both Juddmonte’s Final Gambit and WinStar Farm, CHC Inc. and Cold Press Racing’s Tappan Street galloped Tuesday with notable visitors observing.

WinStar Farm president Elliott Walden was on hand alongside Cox.

Also watching was Final Gambit’s jockey Luan Machado, joined by his agent Cory Prewitt.

FLYING MOHAWK – Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing and Kaleta Racing’s Flying Mohawk galloped at 7:15 a.m. under Maurilio Garcia.

GRANDE – Repole Stable’s Grande is scheduled to breeze Friday at Keeneland, then ship to Churchill Downs later that day.

JOURNALISM – Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stables, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Journalism, the anticipated favorite for Kentucky Derby 151, was en route to Churchill Downs from Southern California on Tuesday.

Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism was flying into Indianapolis, followed by a van ride to Louisville with a mid-afternoon arrival expected.

LUXOR CAFÉ – Koichi Nishikawa’s Luxor Café is undergoing a 42-hour USDA quarantine in Chicago following his arrival from Japan on Monday.

He is tentatively scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Wednesday evening.

OWEN ALMIGHTY – Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing’s Owen Almighty jogged 1 ½ miles at 7:15 a.m. under Antonio Orellana for trainer Brian Lynch.

Owen Almighty is scheduled to work Friday.

PUBLISHER / TIZTASTIC – Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen’s duo of Publisher and Tiztastic trained Tuesday at 7:15 a.m.

SANDMAN – D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables’ Sandman galloped 1 ½ miles at 7:15 a.m. with Froylan Garcia aboard.

Trainer Mark Casse said the Arkansas Derby winner is scheduled to work Wednesday morning.

SOVEREIGNTY – Godolphin’s Sovereignty galloped under Guesler Cardona during the 7:15-7:30 a.m. training window reserved for Derby and Oaks hopefuls.

SHAPING UP: THE $5 MILLION KENTUCY DERBY PRESENTED BY WOODFORD RESERVE (GI) – Here is the top 20 preference list for the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) in alphabetical order (with jockey and trainer): Admire Daytona (JPN) (Christophe Lemaire, Yukihiro Kato); American Promise (Nik Juarez, D. Wayne Lukas); Built (TBA, Wayne Catalano); Burnham Square (Brian Hernandez Jr., Ian Wilkes); Chunk of Gold (Jareth Loveberry, Ethan West); Citizen Bull (Martin Garcia, Bob Baffert); Coal Battle (Juan Vargas, Lonnie Briley); East Avenue (Manny Franco, Brendan Walsh); Final Gambit (Luan Machado, Brad Cox); Flying Mohawk (Joe Ramos, Whit Beckman); Grande (John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher); Journalism (Umberto Rispoli, Michael McCarthy); Luxor Café (Joao Moriera, Noriyuki Hori); Owen Almighty (Javier Castellano, Brian Lynch); Publisher (Irad Ortiz Jr., Steve Asmussen); Rodriguez (Mike Smith, Bob Baffert); Sandman (Jose Ortiz, Mark Casse); Sovereignty (Junior Alvarado, Bill Mott); Tappan Street (Luis Saez, Brad Cox); Tiztastic (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen). Also-Eligibles: Neoequos (TBA, Saffie Joseph Jr.); Render Judgment (TBA, Kenny McPeek); Baeza (Flavien Prat, John Shirreffs); California Burrito (Irving Moncada, Tom Drury Jr.).

ASHLAND (GI) WINNER LA CARA CRUISES HALF-MILE IN :46 – Tracy Farmer’s Ashland Stakes (GI) winner La Cara drilled a half-mile in :46 under exercise rider Kevin Donnis for trainer Mark Casse.

Fractions on the work, which was the fastest half-mile of 30 on the morning, were :11.60, :22.60, :34.20, :46 and out five furlongs in :58.60 and three-quarters in 1:12.20.

“Going back to grade school when they gave out an A, B, C or D, I’d give her work an A+,” Casse said. “I thought it was a little quick but she was in a good rhythm. We had the radios, but I just told him to let her go on. She did it effortlessly.”

Casse said the work would serve as he only pre-Oaks drill since winning the Ashland at Keeneland on April 7.

“We’ve got 10 days now (before the Oaks) and plenty of time (to recover).”

SHAPING UP: THE $1.5 MILLION LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS (GI) – Here is the expected field for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) (with jockey and trainer): Anna’s Promise (Junior Alvarado, Carlos David); Ballerina d’Oro (Flavien Prat, Chad Brown); Bless the Broken (John Velazquez, Will Walden); Drexel Hill (Ben Curtis, Whit Beckman); Early On (Javier Castellano, Saffie Joseph Jr.); Five G (Manny Franco, George Weaver); Fondly (Irad Ortiz Jr., Graham Motion); Good Cheer (Luis Saez, Brad Cox); La Cara (Dylan Davis, Mark Casse); Quietside (Jose Ortiz, John Ortiz); Quickick (TBA, Tom Amoss); Simply Joking (Florent Geroux, Whit Beckman); Take Charge Milady (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek); Tenma (Juan Hernandez, Bob Baffert).

KENTUCKY DERBY MORNING WORKS SHOW OFFERS BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACCESS TO DERBY, OAKS TRAINING – The Kentucky Derby Morning Workouts Show presented by TwinSpires.com will air until Thursday, May 1 and offer fans an exclusive look at the final preparations of Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders.

Airing daily from 6:45-7:45 a.m, the one-hour program will be streamed live on the Kentucky Derby Facebook, X and YouTube accounts. The show will highlight the 15-minute exclusive training window from 7:15-7:30 a.m. for horses preparing for the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) and the $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI).

Hosted by Churchill Downs’ expert handicappers Joe Kristufek, Kaitlin Free, Tony Calo and Kevin Kilroy, the show will include insight, commentary and exclusive interviews from notable figures such as former leading rider Rosie Napravnik, Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone, TwinSpires.com handicapper James Scully and Churchill Downs racing analyst Megan Burgess.

All Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders are required to be on-site by Saturday, April 26. The show will continue through Thursday, May 1, showcasing every contender’s final training sessions leading into Kentucky Derby and Longines Kentucky Oaks.

For more information, visit www.kentuckyderby.com

KENTUCKY DERBY SOUVENIR PROGRAMS AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE – Fans, party hosts, horseplayers and memorabilia collectors have until Friday (April 25) to purchase official Kentucky Derby 151 souvenir programs and have them shipped right to their doorstep in time for Derby Day on Saturday, May 3.

At more than 120 pages, the full-color programs, complete with a glossy finish, may be advanced ordered at https://publications.churchilldowns.com/product/derby-programs/. There is a minimum requirement of five programs per order.

Each program offers a comprehensive look at Kentucky Derby Day and mirrors those offered on-track, boasting full past performances for the entire card along with immersive feature articles.

Following the post-position draw on Saturday night (April 26), programs will go to print and be delivered via FedEx by Thursday, May 1.

CHURCHILL DOWNS RELEASES ACTION-PACKED WAGERING MENU – Kentucky Derby Week kicks off Saturday night as Churchill Downs opens its 43-day Spring Meet, offering massive pools and the chance at huge paydays.

Kentucky Derby Day features 14 races, including seven stakes contests, with a betting menu that includes six Pick 5s, five Pick 4s and a mandatory payout in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot.

In 2024, those wagers generated blockbuster returns:

The Pick 5 ending in the Kentucky Derby handled $4.4 million and returned a stunning $188,958.
The Pick 4 ending in the Kentucky Derby handled $3.2 million and paid $18,300.
The Derby City 6 Jackpot handled $2.3 million, with a payout of $345,074.
Kentucky Oaks Day also delivers a full lineup of wagering action with five Pick 5s and four Pick 4s. Two-day bets also begin on Friday, including:

The 50-cent Oaks/Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic/Kentucky Derby Pick 3 (2024 handle $686,061; payout $432).
The $1 two-day Pick 6 (2024 handle $508,919; payout $81,109), tying together six Grade I races across both days with a mandatory payout and low 15% takeout.
The races for the two-day Pick 6 will be finalized on entry day (Saturday, April 26), with seven potential Grade I events eligible for inclusion, including Friday’s $1 million Fasig-Tipton La Troienne and $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks; and Saturday’s $1 million Churchill Downs presented by Ford, $1 million Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery, $1 million American Turf, the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic and the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve

Additional wagers for Derby Week include:

The $1 minimum Oaks/Derby Double (2024 handle $3 million; payout $118).
The 50-cent All Dirt Pick 5 (2024 handle $409,571; payout $87,025).
The $3 All 3-Year-Old Pick 3 (2024 handle $359,603; payout $18,207).
Superfectas will be offered at a $1 minimum on Oaks and Derby Days and 10 cents on all other days.

For the full wagering menu and list of daily post times, visit: https://www.churchilldowns.com/come-to-the-track/visiting-information/event-information/

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY MEDIA PORTAL – Media members can access photos of Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders here:

https://www.coadyplus.com/gallery/Churchill-Downs-Spring-2025-Media/G0000mObeZBZmx8U/C0000PLb2ljPK8UQ.

Please credit all photos to Coady Media/Churchill Downs.

Churchill Downs Racing Communications/Notes Team

Darren Rogers | Senior Director, Communications & Media Services| (502) 636-4461 (office) | (502) 345-1030 (mobile) | Darren.Rogers@KyDerby.com | @ DerbyMedia

Kevin Kerstein | Ky Racing Communications | (502) 635-4712 (office) |

(610) 420-6971 (mobile) | Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com| @HorseRacingKK

Gary Yunt | Notes Team Captain | (502) 636-4460 (office) |

(303) 981-5629 (mobile) | Gary.Yunt@KyDerby.com|@DerbyNotesGuy

-END-