Magnum Moon launches to big Rebel Stakes win at Oaklawn Park
The curse of Apollo? You’re about to hear more about it.
Magnum Moon on Saturday became the latest horse willing to test the hex with a commanding victory in Oaklawn Park’s Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel Stakes on the 2018 Kentucky Derby trail.
Not since Apollo in 1882 — and only once all time — has a Kentucky Derby winner not first made a start at age 2. Could this be the year?
Magnum Moon essentially locked up a spot in the Derby starting gate with his 3 1/2-length victory, and Bob Baffert-trained Justify boasts a similar resume with his stakes debut coming in a top prep next.
A Todd Pletcher-trained son of Malibu Moon, who also sired 2013 Derby winner Orb, Magnum Moon stalked the pace and moved to the lead at the top of the stretch. He raced a bit greenly near the wire, erring out, then coming back in, but was well in front of the competition by that point.
“We felt like we had a very talented colt," Pletcher said. "Very pleased with his first two races. But this was a step up in class and running against accomplished, seasoned colts. We were confident that he was training very well, coming into it in great shape and just hoping he could handle the continued rise in class."
"We took like two weeks to make that decision," Saez said. "I've always thought this horse was going to be a good horse."
Before Saturday, Magnum Moon had broken his maiden Jan. 13 and beat winners in Allowance Optional Claiming company on Feb. 15. Pletcher said the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on April 14 is the "most likely and most logical" next spot.
The colt is campaigned by Robert and Lawana Low, who also owned Steppenwolfer, the third-place finisher in the 2006 Kentucky Derby.
"We're just going to relish this victory, take one at a time and see how he comes back," Robert Lowe said.
Solomini, who was exiting a layoff, got up for second in the field of 10. Combatant closed for third and Title Ready, who set the pace with an opening half mile in 47.15 seconds, held on for fourth.
The final time was 1:42.68 for 1 1/16 miles.
The Top 4 finishers earned Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 50-20-10-5 scale.
"When he got to the stretch, he just kept running," Saez said of Magnum Moon. "He never stopped."