For the first time in 80 years, an Alabama-owned horse competed in the Kentucky Derby. While he didn’t leave with the roses, Coal Battle made a strong showing and gave the state a reason to cheer.

Coal Battle, owned by Thomasville grocer Robbie Norman, finished 11th out of 19 horses in the 151st Kentucky Derby on Saturday. He trailed the winner, Sovereignty, by 17 lengths.

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Rain earlier in the day left the Churchill Downs track muddy—a condition that had previously worked in Coal Battle’s favor. The colt had won both of his prior races on wet tracks. During the Derby, he spent much of the first half of the race running off the rail and trying to position himself in the front group. In the final stretch, however, he couldn’t keep pace with the leaders.

Coal Battle entered the race as a 30-to-1 longshot but had built momentum heading into the Derby by winning three consecutive stakes races. His most notable win came in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, where he displayed versatility and control over 1 1/16 miles.

Norman bought Coal Battle two years ago for $70,000. Since then, the horse has earned around $1.2 million in race winnings. Norman, a graduate of Troy University, worked in a grocery warehouse before opening his own store in Thomasville and eventually entering the world of horse racing just over a decade ago.

Joining the crowd at Churchill Downs was Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, accompanied by his wife, Teresa. They traveled to Louisville to witness Coal Battle’s run and enjoy a day of horse racing while supporting their home state.

While Coal Battle didn’t pull off an upset, his performance was a proud moment for Alabama horse racing and a reminder that even longshots can find their way to the Derby.

Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected]