Pedigree

Cool Coal Man is from the first crop of Horse of the Year and $2.2 million earner Mineshaft, whose exploits on the track matched his regal pedigree. As a son of 1992 Horse of the Year A.P. Indy, Mineshaft promised to excel at classic distances. He began his racing career on the turf in England, where he managed one win from seven starts, but he did not fulfill his abundant potential until returning to the United States and switching to the dirt. In early 2003, Mineshaft served notice that he would be a major player in the older male division when surging to a 3 1/2-length victory in the New Orleans H. (G2). Over the course of that season, he captured such prestigious events as the Pimlico Special H. (G1), Suburban H. (G1) and Woodward S. (G1) before wrapping up championship honors with an effortless 4 1/4-length score in the Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1). Considering that Mineshaft reached the peak of his powers at the age of four, it is to be expected that his progeny will likewise improve with age and longer distances. Cool Coal Man is his first graded stakes winner, but he is represented by an impressive total of 11 Triple Crown nominees, including Casino Drive, a smashing debut winner in Japan who may aim for the Belmont S. (G1).

Cool Coal Man is the fifth foal produced by Coral Sea, the winner of four minor races from seven furlongs up to 1 1/8 miles. Three of her previous offspring are winners. The most accomplished of them, Kathleens Reel (Lemon Drop Kid), is a smart two-turn performer who landed the Prime Rewards S. at Delta Downs in late December. Coral Sea is a daughter of champion sprinter Rubiano, successful in the 1991 NYRA Mile H. (G1) as well as the 1992 Carter H. (G1) and Vosburgh S. (G1) during his championship campaign. Rubiano's progeny have recorded an Average Winning Distance of seven furlongs, with his best representatives being 2000 Futurity S. (G1) winner Burning Roma and multiple Grade 2-winning sprinter Too Much Bling. Rubiano is also transmitting his speed through his daughters, who have produced such classy sprinters as War Front (Danzig), Ecclesiastic (Pulpit) and Victorina (Delaware Township). However, Take Charge Lady (Dehere), a two-time winner of the 1 1/8-mile Spinster S. (G1) in 2002 and 2003, is also out of a Rubiano mare.

Coral Sea's dam, the multiple stakes-placed South Sea Dancer, is by 1964 Kentucky Derby and Preakness S. hero Northern Dancer and out of 1970 Canadian Oaks queen South Ocean (New Providence). South Sea Dancer is a full sister to Storm Bird, the once-beaten English and Irish champion juvenile of 1980 who is now a renowned sire. She is also a full sister to two-time Canadian champion filly Northernette.