Photo:

Justin Manning / Eclipse Sportswire

Smarty Jones Stakes winner Coal Battle continued preparations for his next start on Monday, working five furlongs in 1:02.6 at Oaklawn for trainer Lonnie Briley.

It was the 18th fastest of 27 works at the distance and the second in just three days for the son of Coal Front, who drilled five furlongs at Delta Downs on Friday in 1:06.4.

A four-length winner of the Smarty Jones on Jan. 4 at Oaklawn, Coal Battle has won four of seven starts, including the Springboard Mile at Remington Park and the Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs in his last two starts.

He is considered a possible starter for the Grade 2, $1.25 million Rebel Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn on Feb. 22. 

Coal Battle was one of eight potential Derby runners recording timed workouts on Monday. The others were: 

Big Boat (Nyquist) worked four furlongs in 51.8 seconds at Oaklawn on Monday morning. It was the 43rd fastest of 48 works at the distance. His previous work was 42 days ago going five furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placed second in an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Oaklawn on Dec. 13 for trainer James DiVito.

First Resort (Uncle Mo), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Kentucky Jockey Club), worked six furlongs in 1:14.0 at Turfway Park on Monday morning. It was the only work at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Turfway Park. In his last start he won the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 30 for trainer Eoin Harty.

Hill Road (Quality Road) worked three furlongs in 37.0 seconds at Payson Park on Monday morning. It was the second fastest of 25 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Del Mar on Nov. 1 for trainer Adrian Murray.

Mo Plex (Complexity), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Sanford), worked three furlongs in 36.6 seconds at Belmont Park on Monday morning. It was the fastest of eight works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in the Sleepy Hollow going one mile on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 27 for trainer Jeremiah Englehart.

Shea Brennan (Tough Sunday) worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the seventh fastest of 32 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in the California Chrome Cal Cup Derby going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Jan. 18 for trainer Phil D’Amato.

Tiztastic (Tiz the Law) worked four furlongs in 50.6 seconds at Oaklawn on Monday morning. It was the 38th fastest of 48 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the Southwest (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on Jan. 25 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Varney (Vekoma) worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the third fastest of 32 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in a maiden race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Jan. 25 for trainer Bob Baffert.