Cox eyeing Rebel Stakes for Timberlake's 3-year-old debut

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Timberlake, one of the top prospects for this year’s Kentucky Derby, could launch his 3-year-old season in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Rebel at Oaklawn Park, according to his trainer, Brad Cox.

The 1 1/16-mile points race for the Kentucky Derby is Feb. 24.

Timberlake won last year’s Grade 1 Champagne at the Belmont at Aqueduct meet in October, one start after running second in the Hopeful at Saratoga. He wrapped up his season on Nov. 3, when he finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita.

“He got a little time after the Breeders’ Cup,” Cox said Tuesday. “He deserved it. He had a full 2-year-old campaign, pretty much traveled from coast to coast.

“We’re excited about getting him back rolling – getting back on the work tab in the very near future. He’s on the Derby trail. He’s got points, and we hope he continues to accumulate points.”

Timberlake is third in the latest standings, with 16. The Rebel will reward its first five finishers points on a scale of 50-25-15-10-5.

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Cox said the Rebel’s distance makes it an appealing return race for Timberlake. The option at his Fair Grounds base is the Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 17.

“I don’t think I want to go a mile and an eighth off a freshening,” Cox said. “We would get another week [with the Rebel] and a mile and a sixteenth. It could be a good spot for him.”

Cox said decisions ultimately will be made by how Timberlake progresses in his training. The son of Into Mischief races for Siena Farm and WinStar Farm. Timberlake has won 2 of 5 starts and earned $475,600.

◗ The field from the rail for Saturday’s first running of the $150,000 Mockingbird Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs is: Midshipman’s Dance, Sharp Tune, Edistrudis, Xtreme Smoke Show, Divine Gal, and Tanya Showers.

◗ Oaklawn went over $2 million in claims last Saturday. There have been 94 claims.

The highest-priced runners haltered have been Charleston and Revelation, each taken for $75,000 from Twin Creeks Racing Stable and trainer Cox out of the same maiden race for 2-year-olds Dec. 15.

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