Coal Battle made a decisive charge in the second turn, collared pacesetter Madaket Road in the homestretch and dug in for a 1 1/4-length triumph Sunday in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn.

The victory in the 1 1/16-mile race assured the Coal Front colt owned by Norman Stables and trained by 72-year-old Lonnie Briley of a place in Kentucky Derby 2025 on May 3.