Kentucky Derby 2019 Radar: Frosted Ice auditions for Rebel

There are many details still to sort out ahead of the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel Stakes on March 1. Whether the Kentucky Derby 2019 prep splits into two divisions with Santa Anita’s San Felipe (G2) canceled this weekend is yet to be decided, and locally, trainer Ron Moquett is keeping 3-year-old Frosted Ice under consideration for the Oaklawn Park feature.

Frosted Ice last raced in the Sept. 21 Bertram F. Bongard Stakes for New York-breds at Belmont Park. The Bellamy Road colt rallied to a 6 ¼-length win at seven furlongs, which followed a 5 ½-length maiden score at six furlongs his second time out at Saratoga. The 1 1/16-mile Rebel Stakes would mark his first start around two turns.

“We’re going to work this weekend, depending on weather, and that tells us whether or not we make the Rebel,” Moquett told Oaklawn's publicity staff. “If he works well and does everything the right way, then we’re going. And if the fitness is good, we’re going. If not, then we’ll wait and try to go to an allowance race.”

Frosted Ice, a homebred for Catherine Adams-Hutt’s Rialto Racing Stables, LLC, has turned in two published half-mile works at Oaklawn Park this year. He returned to the work tab Feb. 13, going 49.80, and was clocked in 50.40 on March 2.

Should the Rebel draw enough entries to split into two fields, both divisions will carry a $750,000 purse with 63.75 total points up for grabs to the first four finishers. If the Rebel remains one flight, points will total 85 on a 50-20-10-5 scale with the original $1 million purse.

Oaklawn President Louis Cella announced Wednesday the Hot Springs, Ark., track was prepared to split the Rebel, a day after Santa Anita announced a half to training and racing following a rash of equine fatalities in Southern California. 

Trainer Bob Baffert planned to start his top Derby contenders Game Winner and Improbable in the San Felipe, but will now work them Sunday at nearby Los Alamitos and make a decision on the Rebel. Another from Baffert's barn, Mucho Gusto, was already expected to start in the Rebel.

“It’s going to be a tough, tough race before,” Moquett said. “It’s going to be two tough races. That’s great for gamblers. If you’re a fan of the sport, that’s pretty cool because you’re going to get to see a lot of horses from here move on to the Derby.”

Baffert has been part of a split Kentucky Derby prep at Oaklawn before. When 21 horses entered the 2012 Southwest Stakes (G3), two divisions ran with the original $250,000 purse. Baffert won both races with Castaway and Secret Circle.