Coal Front ran his career mark to four wins in five starts with a game victory in Saturday’s $300,000 Gallant Bob (G3) at Parx Racing.
Coming off his lone career defeat in the H. Allen Jerkens (G1) at Saratoga, the Todd Pletcher-trained three-year-old set a contested pace of :22.21 and :45.21, but faced his sternest challenge in upper stretch from second choice American Pastime. Digging in at the rail, Coal Front successfully repelled that foe in the final yards to win by a half-length under John Velazquez.
Part of a coupled entry with Petrov that was made the 4-5 favorite, Coal Front returned $3.60 after completing six furlongs over a fast track in a snappy 1:08.94. American Pastime finished second, 5 1/2 lengths of Petrov. The order of finish was rounded out by Aquamarine, Running Mate, Ann Arbor Eddie, Action Everyday, Glory Stars, Excitations, and Sonic Mule.
Owned by Robert LaPenta and Head of Plains Partners, Coal Front has now earned $411,000. Winner of his Keeneland debut by 6 1/2 lengths on April 20, he followed up with a Belmont allowance win by 2 3/4 lengths in early June, and then captured the July 29 Amsterdam (G2) at Saratoga by 1 1/2 lengths in wire-to-wire fashion. He was outrun for the lead in the seven-furlong Jerkens and eventually faded to fifth after a wide trip around the turn.
Bred in Kentucky by Michael Edward Connelly, Coal Front was a $575,000 OBS April juvenile purchase. By Stay Thirsty out of the Mineshaft mare Miner’s Secret, Coal Front is a half-brother to Grade 2-placed stakes winner Conquest Titan. Also from this family are Grade 2 scorer Azar and multiple Grade 3 winner Woodlander.
Farther back, this female family produced Belmont S. (G1) winner Go and Go, Irish classic winner Refuse to Bend, and Grade 1 victors Twilight Agenda and Media Puzzle.
