Trio of Rebels
I am really looking forward to this weekend’s Rebel Stakes. A field of fourteen is always a treat, but even more so with the 2016 Kentucky Derby on the horizon. I think the field size will greatly help runners who make it to the starting gate in Louisville. This race offers the opportunity to gain experience in a traffic jam, and learn to overcome outside obstacles.
On top of being a large field, it is a wide open one! Mario Gutierrez is the only jockey with a Kentucky Derby win on his resume. While four trainers in the race have combined for a total of ten Derby wins. Including Jack Van Berg, legendary trainer of Alysheba. He will try to take a step closer to the Derby with longshot Cutacorner. And you want a random fact about the field? It features six grays ... it is not every day you see that!
Here are my top three selections for the race:
Yup, I went gray right off the bat! I really like this Paddy O’Prado colt and can overlook this step hike in class. He has been improving in each race and working out nicely. Breaking on the outside is another plus for this colt. He should be able to stay clear of traffic early and have plenty of room to run late. Don’t want to overlook this guy, especially if odds remain around the morning line of 12-1.
Another outside runner that should be able to remain clear of traffic. His biggest challenge will be early fractions. There is not a ton of early speed in the race, so I expect jockey Luis Quinonez to have him as a lot closer to the lead than the Southwest. This is his chance to prove that great effort was no fluke. His pedigree suggests it was not. Look for this guy to make a smooth move late.
Bob Baffert and the Rebel Stakes are a match only cupid could make. He has won five out of the last six Rebel Stakes and looks to add to that record here. Cupid is a rapidly developing three-year-old and looks a lot more appealing in this field than in the San Felipe. Because of the coupled entries, I see absolutely no speed to his inside. He will break from post three and should be able to get right on the rail. The shortest trip around the track is always the best!