Instant coffee returns to the stakes at the Oaklawn Handicap

Once considered an early favorite on the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) trail, Instant coffee returns to graded stakes for the first time in more than a year when he faces 10 opponents in the $1.25 million 1 1/8-mile Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at Oaklawn Park April 20.

The son of Bolt d’Oro had a good start to his career. After the first victory at Saratoga Racetrackhe finished fourth behind the eventual champion Forte , Loggins and multi-stakes winner Red Line One in the 2022 Breeders’ Future (G1) at Keeneland before impressively winning the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs to finish his 2-year-old season.

Start your 3-year campaign at Racetracks & Slots at Fair GroundsInstant Coffee defeated the runner-up Kentucky Derby Hai Phil with a 2 1/2-length victory in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) to solidify his status as a top contender in the prep season heading into the first Saturday in May. However, that was not to be as he ran a dull sixth in the Louisiana Derby (G2), before being shelved for 11 months.

Formerly trained by Brad Cox, Instant Coffee reappears in the barn at Brittany Russell in the 1 1/16-mile optional allowance claiming race on February 17 at Gulfstream Park. Having been pushed into last place from the start, the now 4-year-old colt swung widely and rallied well to finish third, beaten by 4 1/2 lengths.

Videotapes: Gulfstream Park, Race 10, AOC

He’s moved cages again because he’s now in the care of Jose D’Angelo. Gold Square owned the colt throughout his career with earnings of $460,115.

On His path

On the road to the winner’s circle, there were a number of horses that showed a lot of talent but were not consistent in finishing first.

• Red Route One won the New Orleans Classic (G2) at Fair Grounds on March 23, marking his first victory since the 2023 West Virginia Derby (G3) last August. 4 year old boy Gun Runner colt likes to go off beat and will need help from a pacer.
• Skippylongstocking can be a force to be reckoned with on his best day, as he was on March 9 with a 2 1/2-length victory in the Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Downs Bay. He could also cause embarrassment, however, as he was pulled up on the backstretch Jan. 27 in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream. Coach Saffie Joseph Jr. later said he believed his charge had overheated that day.
• regeneration returned after four months off on March 3 at Santa Anita Park where he finished a strong third in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1). Bob Baffert Barn is causing a stir at Oaklawn by winning the Arkansas Derby (G1) with Muth and Apple Blossom (G1) with Adare Manor over the past few weeks.
• Octane has been in very good form recently. Eight-time winner from 18 starts, the 5-year-old filly brothers The gelding earned his first win last time out in Oaklawn’s Razorback Handicap (G3) on February 24.