Bullard to ship to Oaklawn for likely start in Rebel
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Bullard, a graded stakes winner at Del Mar in November who finished a well-beaten third in his 3-year-old debut in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs on Jan. 4, is likely bound for the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 22 for his first start around two turns.
The $1.25 million Rebel Stakes is run at 1 1/16 miles. Bullard was galloped at Santa Anita on Wednesday, trainer Michael McCarthy said.
The Rebel “is a possibility,” McCarthy said.
Owned by a partnership that includes Three Chimneys Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds, Bullard won his first two starts, including his stakes debut in the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes by 4 3/4 lengths at seven furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 17. In the San Vicente, Bullard finished third of five, beaten six lengths by Barnes, who is also under consideration for the Rebel Stakes, trainer Bob Baffert said last weekend.
McCarthy’s latest winner was Legitimate, a 3-year-old colt by Authentic who won a maiden race at one mile on a sealed and wet-fast track by 12 3/4 lengths at Santa Anita on Sunday.
Legitimate, who was ridden by Flavien Prat, led throughout, beating five rivals in a race originally scheduled for turf but moved to dirt because of wet weather earlier on Sunday.
“I thought it was a wonderful performance,” McCarthy said. “He moved up on an off track.
“He benefited by some scratches.”
McCarthy said there are no race plans for Legitimate, who races for John and Jerry Amerman. Sunday’s race was the sixth start for Legitimate, and his first around two turns on the main track. He previously raced in sprints on the main track, or in one-mile turf races, finishing third once on Dec. 1 on turf.
“We’ll take a step back and see what’s out there,” McCarthy said of Legitimate’s short-term future. “It’s not easy to find an allowance race going long. We’ll nominate and see how he trains.”
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