Castellano picks up Rebel mount on comebacking Basin

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Jockey Javier Castellano has the mount on Basin in the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. The mile and a sixteenth race is Saturday.

Basin, who in his last start won the Grade 1 Hopeful on Sept. 2 at Saratoga, had his final work for the Rebel on Monday at Oaklawn. He went a half-mile by himself in 51.80 seconds. The track was fast on a morning with temperatures in the 50s.

Basin has done the bulk of his prep work for the Rebel at Fair Grounds. His works include six furlongs in 1:12 on March 2 and five-eighths in a bullet 59.40 seconds Feb. 25.

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“He’s trained like a Grade 1 winner,” said Asmussen.

Basin, a son of Liam’s Map who won the Hopeful under the sidelined Jose Ortiz, races for Jackpot Farm. The Rebel rewards its winner 50 points for the Kentucky Derby.

“He’s lightly raced – he’s only had three races – and is a Grade 1 winner, and we wanted to get in the dance,” Asmussen said. “It’s time.”

Silver Prospector, who won the Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest Stakes on Feb. 17 at Oaklawn, remains on target for the Rebel after working a half-mile in 49.80 seconds Sunday. Asmussen said Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount once again for Ed and Susie Orr.

Other projected starters for the Rebel include American Theorem, Nadal, No Parole, Three Technique, Wells Bayou, and Winning Impression.

Nadal is coming off a win in the Grade 2 San Vicente on Feb. 9 at Santa Anita.