Kentucky Derby trail: Rebel Stakes posts, jockeys, field of 14
Speed King, Sandman and Tiztastic, who formed the trifecta last month in the Southwest (G3), return to the same 1 1/16 miles of Oaklawn dirt Saturday when they face a full field of rivals in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Rebel Stakes.
For the top five finishers among the 14 3-year-olds, the race is worth 50-25-15-10-5 qualifying points for Kentucky Derby 2025. That makes the Rebel a virtual win-and-you’re-in for the May 3 classic.
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Owned by Ted Bowman’s Triton Thoroughbreds and trained by Ron Moquett, Speed King led at every call Jan. 25 en route to his 14-1 upset in the Southwest. The colt by Volatile began his career with a sprint win Nov. 1 at Churchill Downs before coming in second in the Remington Springboard Mile on Dec. 13.
Sandman closed from last place in the Southwest and lost by just one length. The Tapit colt owned by D. J. Stables and their partners was an allowance winner going a mile at Oaklawn in December for trainer Mark Casse.
Tiztastic, who is owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds and Coolmore, won twice on the Kentucky Downs turf last summer. Then trainer Steve Asmussen switched him to dirt at Churchill Downs, where the Tiz the Law colt wound up second in the Street Sense and third in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) to finish his 2-year-old campaign.
Coal Battle looks for his fourth consecutive victory, all in stakes. After taking the Jean Lafitte in the mud at Delta Downs, the Springboard Mile at Remington Park and last month’s Smarty Jones at Oaklawn, this will be his first time in graded company.
Madaket Road will race for eight-time Rebel-winning trainer Bob Baffert. He comes back from a weakening third Feb. 1 in the one-mile Robert B. Lewis (G3). He broke his maiden on second asking Dec. 26 at Santa Anita.
Bullard goes two turns for the first time after finishing third last month in the seven-furlong San Vicente (G2) at Santa Anita. He was 2-for-2 as a 2-year-old, winning his debut and the Bob Hope (G3) at Del Mar.
Dreaminblue broke his maiden on fourth asking with a six-furlong triumph Jan. 25 at Oaklawn, earning a 92 Beyer Speed Figure according to Daily Racing Form.
About to make his ninth start, Innovator brings the most experience to the Rebel. He followed his maiden victory Dec. 29 with a third-place finish in the sloppy running of last month’s Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds.
The Rebel will be the 11th of 12 races on Saturday’s Oaklawn card. It is scheduled for 6:23 p.m. EST with the first post at 1 p.m.