Coal Play
 

well, he just won completely under wraps on a muddy track at Monmouth. Obviously he beat nothing, but it's pretty sweet to see him get a stakes win, especially after he ran so well and so hard last out against Big Brown. I don't have any illusions about him, but does anyone think he can be a contender in the Jerome (if it's not coming up too soon)?

The Jerome is next Sunday....

then I guess that would make my question moot, lol. Oh well - I thought he was being pointed for that race, but mabye Zito just wanted a fairly easy race for him after the Haskell.

Coal Play's race in the Haskell was much better than many people gave him credit for. Because a horse is a no name does not make that horse a bum. He has proven to be worthy of a quality Grade I competitor. He is in good hands with his trainer. I too will follow him in his next race. Does anyone know what that will be?

I meant to ask if Coal Play and Cool Coal Man are related? Plus they are both trained by Zito which makes me wonder?

The Pegasus at the Meadowlands would seem like a good spot...

both trained by zito, owned by lapenta, and sired by mineshaft.

If I remember correctly, Cool Coal Man got off with the early leaders at the Derby. It looks like Coal Play may be the greater talent of the two.

hard to say who is more talented, but cool coal man at this point is more accomplished. has won over 200k more than his stablemate, who is yet to win a graded race, while CCM has won a gr 2.

I love CCM - I'm hoping he'll develop into a nice older horse. He was running well in the Travers before getting clobbered. At least he's working well at the Spa now.

I thought CP would be a nice colt earlier in his career, but he was sort of a disappointment. He's come around now - hopefully it's not just a Monmouth thing.

also, regarding the early lead in the derby, i believe you're thinking of cowboy cal.

He is pointing to the Pegasus.

No I think he's right. . . not that it really matters. CCM was on the rail and got out first. . .

according to the chart, cool coal man(and he was on the rail) was never better than 4th, at the 1/2 and 3/4 poles, while cowboy cal ran second til the mile, laying off bob black jack.

Speaking of Zito-La Penta horses, what are they doing with D'Tara. Going off of historical Zito 3yo campaigns, I'm surprised he didn't show for the JCGC. I realize on paper he and Wanderin Boy would cancel each other out, but the way the track was yesterday, he might have been 2-3 in there.

Anyways, the point is that if Zito is ever gonna try a horse on synthetic, I would think D'Tara would be it. He's by Tiznow, who's stud career has been seemingly resurrected by the advent of synthetic surfaces. In addition, he has basically a Cal-bred pedigree (he's out of a Martin Wygod mare), which possibly--with pgrdn's and DrugS's approval--might be some sort of advantage, genetically speaking.

I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up Friday night in the Meadowlands Cup ( Da'Tara that is ).

i don't know that i'd say resurrected tiznows stud career. it's certainly added a new dimension to his ability as a sire, but i think he's always done well for himself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBeoZUsnXdc

he was on the lead right in the beginning. . .

Thanks, Andy!

Nick has done a very good job with him; I'm extremely happy.

I'll agree with Da Hoss that Coal Play isn't a grade 1 horse yet, but that doesn't bother me. I'm really just thrilled that he's developed into a nice horse.