BIG GRADED STAKES DAY for KIRKWOOD grads

COAL FRONT wins G3 Gallant Bob and TOM’S READY 3rd in the G2 KELSO
Courtesy of the TDN

Coal Front | Equi-Photo

‘TDN Rising Star’ Coal Front, an impressive winner of his first three starts, including the GII Amsterdam S. at Saratoga July 29, refused to lose here, turning back fellow Rising Star American Pastime in game fashion.

Coal Front was heavily favored to get back on track as part of an entry with Petrov following a fifth-place finish in the prestigious GI H. Allen Jerkens S. at the Spa Aug. 26.

Seizing the early advantage, the $575,000 OBSAPR buy zipped through opening splits of :22.21 and :45.21. American Pastime made a menacing sweeping move on the far turn and drew alongside Coal Front entering the lane and the stage was set. The duo battled down the lane, but Coal Front kept on finding more every time American Pastime came at him and held on for a narrow success.

Pedigree Notes:

Coal Front’s unraced dam Miner’s Secret, a half-sister to MGSW Woodlander (Forestry), is responsible for a yearling colt by Noble Mission (GB) and foaled a Pioneerof the Nile filly Feb. 28. She was bred back to Triple Crown hero American Pharoah. Miner’s Secret went through the ring twice, bringing $250,000 from Reynolds Bell Jr., agent, at the 2006 KEESEP Yearling Sale and $52,000 from Coal Front’s breeder Michael Connelly in foal to War Pass at the 2009 KEENOV Sale.

On the same day at Belmont,