HorseCenter: Rebel Stakes and Saudi Cup top picks

By Matt Shifman/Brian Zipse
Photo:


This week on HorseCenter your hosts Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman handicap 11 Kentucky Derby hopefuls in the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park and take a look at the top Americans in the Saudi Cup (G1).

Brad Cox has two horses in the Rebel as he tries to win yet another big race on the road to Kentucky Derby 2023. Steve Asmussen, who recently won his 10,000th race, has three horses in this field. A fast pace is expected in the Rebel, so Matt and Brian both picked horses who have a come-from-behind running style.

The $20 million Saudi Cup drew an international field of 13 horses, including Taiba and Country Grammer from the barn of Bob Baffert. Those American runners will have to beat six from Japan along with local horses such as the 2022 winner Emblem Road.

 

Have a great weekend of racing from around the world and, as always, thanks for watching the show.

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