Coal Battle, Admire Daytona Work for Kentucky Derby; La Cara Preps for Oaks

SLIDESHOW: Meet the Fillies Competing in the 2025 Kentucky Oaks

The $1.5 million, Grade 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks is the marquee race each spring for elite 3-year-old fillies. This year the 151st edition will be held May 2 at Churchill Downs as the best fillies in the division take their shot in the “run for the lilies,” with more than 100,000 fans expected to attend the 1 1/8-mile race. Read More...

Kentucky Derby News (4/22/25)

Japan’s two 2025 Kentucky Derby contenders have taken different paths to Churchill Downs. While Luxor Cafe was finishing a 42-hour USDA quarantine in Chicago, Admire Daytona has been on the grounds for over a week. Japan’s Admire Daytona, Coal Battle Post Workouts Admire Daytona. Kurtis Coady/Coady Photo. On Tuesday (April 22), UAE Derby (G2) winner Admire Daytona worked 4 furlongs in 53.20 at Churchill Downs under Yoshimitsu Miyashita, the col…

Coal Battle, Admire Daytona Work for Kentucky Derby; La Cara Preps for Oaks

Norman Stables' Coal Battle (Coal Front) and Junko Kondo's G2 UAE Derby winner Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) put in half-mile works for the Kentucky Derby over a fast track Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs. Working during the 7:15-7:30 a.m. EST 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 fiv…

Instead of team roping, Briley will be in Kentucky Derby 2025

Louisville, Ky. Coal Battle has taken Lonnie Briley where he never has been before in his 72 years. To a graded stakes. To the winner’s circle in a graded stakes. And to Kentucky Derby 2025. It goes beyond Briley never training a Derby horse before. For him the run for the roses was something to be experienced not in person but on television. If Coal Battle had not won three points preps, including the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes, then Briley would be …