Making his first start in two months, Coal Front won a stretch long duel with Diamond King and took the $153,500 Parx Dirt Mile for trainer Todd Pletcher and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith Saturday at Parx Racing.

Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, Coal Front surged past 2-1 second choice Diamond King and jockey Jose Ortiz as the two horses ran nearly as a team the entire length of the stretch. Coal Front, on the inside, dug down and would not allow his rival to pass.

Owned by Robert LaPenta and Head of Plains Partners, Coal Front won by three quarters of a length and was timed in 1:37.53. The 5-year-old son of Stay Thirsty was making his first start since July 20 when third in the Monmouth Cup at Monmouth Park.

Forewarned, last seen running off the board in the Whitney and Woodward Stakes at Saratoga, was 1 1/4 lengths behind Diamond King in third.