Oaklawn lists 8 probables each for Rebel, Honeybee on March 1

The Oaklawn racing department listed eight early probables for the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel Stakes for 3-year-olds March 1, including two for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse.

Entries will be accepted and post positions drawn Saturday for the 1 1/16-mile Rebel, Oaklawn's third Kentucky Derby qualifying race, and the $750,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies March 1. The 1 1/16-mile Honeybee serves as Oaklawn's second of three qualifying races for the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Reported as Rebel probables by the Oaklawn racing department: Blackout Time for trainer Kenny McPeek, Class President (Todd Pletcher), Honey's to Blame (McPeek), Probably Dreaming (Phil D'Amato), Rancho Santa Fe (Brad Cox), Silent Tactic (Casse), Soldier N Diplomat (Steve Asmussen) and Strategic Risk (Casse).

Casse seeks his fourth consecutive victory in a Kentucky Derby qualifying race at Oaklawn. He won the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) last season with Sandman and captured the first two legs of the 2025-2026 season: the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 3 with Strategic Risk and the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 6 with late-running Silent Tactic.

Soldier N Diplomat and Rancho Santa Fe finished second and fourth, respectively, in the Southwest. Lightly raced Class President (1-for-2) finished second in the seven-furlong Swale Stakes Jan. 31 at Gulfstream Park in his last start.

Blackout Time last started Oct. 4 at Keeneland, finishing second to eventual champion Ted Noffey in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at 1 1/16 miles.

Unbeaten Taken by the Wind heads Honeybee field

Early Honeybee probables, according to the Oaklawn racing department: Classic Glide for trainer Robbie Medina, Counting Stars (Casse), Grace Is Free (Robert N. Cline), Knickleandime (Randy Morse), Newtown Pike (Lindsay Schultz), Percy's Bar (Ben Colebrook), Take Charge Macy (Peter Miller) and Taken by the Wind (McPeek).

Taken by the Wind enters unbeaten in three lifetime starts, including the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes at 1 mile and 70 yards Jan. 17 at Fair Grounds. Percy's Bar finished third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at 1 1/16 miles Oct. 31 at Del Mar in her last start.

The Rebel and Honeybee will offer 105 total points (50-25-15-10-5) to the top five finishers toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

The Honeybee carries a record purse in 2026, up from $500,000 in previous runnings.