Strub Series on Coil's schedule

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (Sports Network) - Three-year-old colt Coil, winner of this year's Haskell Invitational, will bypass the Breeders' Cup Classic and participate in the Strub Series at Santa Anita Park.

Trainer Bob Baffert feels Coil is not yet ready to face older thoroughbreds, despite a third-place finish in last week's Goodwood Stakes.

"He's not at that level yet, to take on older horses," Baffert said. "I think next year he'll be able to. He could go to the Breeders' Cup, but I think he'll get better. I want to save him for the Strub Series and next year."

The Strub Series consists of three stakes: Malibu, San Fernando and Strub. The Malibu is run at the end of each year and is restricted to three-year-olds at seven-furlongs. The San Fernando and Strub are for four-year-olds and serve as prep races for the Santa Anita Handicap.

Coil is the winner of four of eight starts for $782,560. Along with the Haskell he's won the Affirmed Handicap with a second in the Swaps Stakes. In August at Saratoga the colt finished last in a field of 10 three-year-olds in the Travers. He was sent off as the 5-2 second selection behind 2-1 favorite and race winner Stay Thirsty.