Race: Indiana Derby (Grade III)
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Track: Horseshoe Indianapolis, Shelbyville, IN
Distance: 1 1/16 miles (Dirt)
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $300,000
Eligibility: 3-year-olds
Post Time: 6:33 PM ET
Race Number: 12
Field: 9 starters
Field Overview & Entries
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree (Sire – Dam, by Dam Sire) | Morning Line Odds |
| 1 | Publisher | Mike E. Smith | Steve Asmussen | American Pharoah – Indian Pride (Bernardini) | 5/1 |
| 2 | Master Controller | Christopher Emigh | Brittany Vanden Berg | Tapiture – Key Is to Win (Successful Appeal) | 15/1 |
| 3 | Coal Battle | Corey Lanerie | Lonnie Briley | Coal Front – Wolfblade (Congrats) | 7/2 |
| 4 | Shan | Evin Roman | Ed Moger Jr. | Shancelot – Kada (Tiznow) | 30/1 |
| 5 | Chunk of Gold | Jareth Loveberry | Ethan West | Preservationist – Play for Gold (Touch Gold) | 6/1 |
| 6 | Tip Top Thomas | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Volatile – Attempt to Name (Unbridled’s Song) | 6/1 |
| 7 | Big Truzz | Declan Cannon | Brian Lynch | Justify – Saralin (Curlin) | 9/2 |
| 8 | Brotha Keny | Joseph Ramos | William Morey | Mo Town – Raramuri Princess (Unbridled’s Song) | 12/1 |
| 9 | Instant Replay | Luan Machado | Brad Cox | Maximum Security – Academy Gal (Lemon Drop Kid) | 4/1 |
Race Analysis & Contender Breakdown
Coal Battle
Trainer: Lonnie Briley
Jockey: Corey Lanerie
Form: 3rd in G3 Matt Winn; Rebel Stakes (G2) winner
Pedigree: Coal Front × Congrats mare – stamina and speed
Outlook: The class of the field with multiple graded stakes experience. Tactical speed and strong late kick make him the one to beat.
Instant Replay
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luan Machado
Form: Texas Derby winner; 3rd in G2 Louisiana Derby
Pedigree: Maximum Security × Lemon Drop Kid mare – stamina and grit
Outlook: In top form and trained by Cox, who seeks his third straight Indiana Derby win. Dangerous if he gets a clean trip from the outside.
Big Truzz
Trainer: Brian Lynch
Jockey: Declan Cannon
Form: 3rd in G1 Woody Stephens; two-turn debut
Pedigree: Justify × Curlin mare – elite stamina pedigree
Outlook: Stretching out for the first time. If he handles the added distance, he could be a major player.
Publisher
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Mike Smith
Form: 14th in Kentucky Derby; freshened
Pedigree: American Pharoah × Bernardini mare – classic distance pedigree
Outlook: Classy colt with back class. Could rebound with a better setup and shorter field.
Pedigree Spotlight
Coal Battle (Coal Front): By a son of Stay Thirsty; built for middle-distance dirt success.
Instant Replay (Maximum Security): From a tough, front-running sire; dam adds stamina.
Big Truzz (Justify × Curlin): Triple Crown + Breeders’ Cup Classic bloodlines—bred to stretch out.
Publisher (American Pharoah × Bernardini): Classic pedigree; both sides proven at 1 1/8 miles and beyond.
Top Pick: Coal Battle – Proven class, versatile running style, and strong connections.
Value Play: Big Truzz – Stretching out with elite pedigree; could surprise at a price.
Exacta Box: Coal Battle / Instant Replay / Big Truzz
Longshot to Watch: Chunk of Gold – 2nd in the Ohio Derby and improving with each start.
