Lookin At Lucky likely for Rebel

ARCADIA, Calif. - Lookin At Lucky, the champion 2-year-old colt of 2009, is likely headed to Oaklawn Park for the Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel Stakes on March 13, leaving Tiz Chrome to represent trainer Bob Baffert in that day's Grade 2, $150,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita.

Baffert on Wednesday said he was leaning in that direction after watching Tiz Chrome work seven furlongs in 1:25.40 under jockey Martin Garcia, who will have the mount on Tiz Chrome. Garrett Gomez rides Lookin at Lucky, who worked seven furlongs in 1:25.20 on Monday.

"I think Lookin At Lucky will go to Arkansas," Baffert said. "In case it rains here, I can't afford to stay here."

Although Lookin At Lucky has plenty of graded stakes earnings, he has not raced since December, and will have just two starts before the May 1 Kentucky Derby, so he needs to run on March 13. Baffert is prone to change his mind, though, and said he would not make a final decision until the early part of next week.

If Lookin At Lucky does go to Oaklawn Park, it will be his first start on dirt. All his prior races have been on the various synthetic surfaces in Southern California. He has won at Polytrack at Del Mar, Cushion Track at Hollywood Park, and Pro-Ride at Santa Anita.

"One will stay here, one is going to Arkansas. I don't have to made that call until the plane leaves next week," Baffert said. "I don't make a decision until I have to. It's the way I've survived in this sport. Right now I'm leaning toward the Rebel with Lookin At Lucky. He worked well the other day."

Tiz Chrome finished fourth in last month's Robert Lewis Stakes, then missed time.

"He had a stone bruise and then a lung infection," Baffert said.