Post position: 1
Odds: 20-1
Jockey: Julien Leparoux, 23, a native of France, will ride in 2nd Derby. Was 5th on Sedgefield last year.
Owner: Robert LaPenta, 62, first owned Thoroughbreds as a partner with Rick Pitino. He also owns War Pass, an early favorite who will miss the Derby with an injury.
Trainer: Nick Zito, 60, won the Derby twice with his first three horses (Strike the Gold in ’91 and Go for Gin in ’94). Hasn’t finished in the money with his past 16.
Breeder(s): William S. Farish, E.J. Hudson Irrevocable Trust, et. al
Bloodline: By Mineshaft-Coral Sea, by Rubiano
Color and gender: Bay colt
Career record: 8 starts, 4-1-0, $307,531
Road to the Derby: Won allowance race at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 26; Won Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 24; 9th in Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 12.
Potential trouble: Speed figures unremarkable, flattened out badly in Blue Grass.
Meaning of name: The sire is Mineshaft. LaPenta said they like to continue expanding the legacy of the sire’s name. As a young colt he was very cool and calm so they came up with the name Cool Coal Man.
VIDEO AT RIGHT: Cool Coal Man wins the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream on Feb. 24, 2008. Courtesy of Gulfstream.
Credits: Button - Camille Weber, Herald-Leader; text - Alicia Wincze, Rob Kandt, Eric Miller, Herald-Leader; name - Linda Niemi, Herald-Leader; photo - Cool Coal Man with Kent Desormeaux up won the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 24, 2008 | Horsephotos.com.
