HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Redland Rebels is a fresh face on the Kentucky Derby trail. On Saturday, he gets an opportunity to try to secure a spot in the starting gate for the classic in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. He’s cross-entered in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, but was to have arrived Wednesday at Oaklawn, according to his trainer, Patrick Biancone. Redland Rebels, who is based in South Florida, ran in his first Kentucky Derby prep last out, when he set the pace and finished fourth, beaten 2 3/4 lengths, in the Tampa Bay Derby on March 7. “On that day, every horse that was close to the pace, or in front, was winning,” Biancone said of a profile favorable for Redland Rebels. “And then 20 minutes before [his race], there was a thunderstorm and rain and the track got to be soup and that race and the next race, the winners came from behind. It was not fast enough. “That race, it was enough encouragement to try one more race to see if we can make the Derby. The ownership group would love to have a Derby horse, and that horse could be. I think if he improves off that race, we should be in the money, at least, and hopefully, win. We’ll see what happens.” :: DRF Road to the Derby Package Available Now! Save 37% on key handicapping essentials through Kentucky Derby day. Redland Rebels was a closing fourth in his career debut, which came in a maiden special weight sprint on dirt July 18 at Gulfstream Park. Biancone said he moved the horse to turf after that because at the time, it was his only opportunity to get Redland Rebels around two turns. He wired a maiden special weight field at a mile by 6 3/4 lengths, then came back and was edged by a neck after setting the pace in the Kitten’s Joy at 1 1/16 miles. From there, Redland Rebels advanced to the Tampa Bay Derby. “He’s a horse who is real stayer,” Biancone said. “He’s very big. He’s like 17 hands and he has huge action. He makes one stride when most of the horses make one and a half. He’s a big galloper and he takes the lead by his action.” Redland Rebels will break from the rail in the Arkansas Derby. Keith Asmussen has the mount in what is a special connection as he is engaged to Biancone’s daughter, Andie. She is an accomplished horsewoman and also is a racing analyst for FanDuel. “Put it this way, she’s lucky to have found find a guy like him, and he’s lucky to have found a girl like her,” Biancone said. “They have the same interests in life, and I think that’s important for the future. My wife and I and Keith’s family, we’re all very happy.” Keith Asmussen is the son of trainer Steve Asmussen and his wife, Julie. He is based at Oaklawn and began riding races on a regular basis after earning a master’s degree in accounting. “Keith is a very good rider, very talented, and hopefully, we make him win his first Grade 1,” said Biancone, who has had stakes success before with Asmussen. Redland Rebels is owned by Calypso Racing Stables 2022. “Redland is a golf course where a group of friends – the people who own the horse, they went to university [together] – play every week,” said Biancone. If things go well Saturday for their 3-year-old prospect, they might have to give up their tee time in Florida and make reservations for trip to Kentucky. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.