Kentucky Derby prep: Confidence Game (18-1) rallies in Rebel

A colt from a family bred for success in Hot Springs shuffled the deck on the Kentucky Derby trail when Confidence Game swept to victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $1 million Rebel Stakes before a crowd of 42,000 at Oaklawn.

The 18-1 upset came under jockey James Graham and touched off a raucous celebration in the winner’s circle while moving the colt to the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 57 qualifying points.

“He’s really come into his own,” said trainer Keith Desormeaux, who worried the colt might leave his race in the paddock after acting up prior to the race. “He started off pretty immature, but as the races went on, he has improved things mentally, and physically.”

Confidence Game ($39.00 to win) passed a pack of front-runners en route to the one-length win over Red Route One with Reincarnate in third. The winner and Giant Mischief bumped shoulders at the top of the stretch while other horses waited in traffic, leading to an objection that was disallowed by the stewards. The final time over a sloppy track was 1:44.21.

Red Route One came from far back while charging at the winner in the stretch. Reincarnate suffered traffic trouble in his first start for trainer Tim Yakteen. The 3-2 favorite Verifying stalked the pace but failed to find a clear path when pushed to the front and settled for fourth.

Although Confidence Game’s odds didn’t indicate obvious success, close readers of his breeding lines could see his dame, Eblouissante, is the half-sister of Hall of Fame mare Zenyatta, who twice traveled to Oaklawn for dominant victories 2008 and 2010 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1).

Confidence Game is now 3-for-7 on his career with a bankroll of $785,525.