Magnum Moon passed every test, Pletcher says

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Magnum Moon will dictate his schedule between now and the Kentucky Derby, trainer Todd Pletcher said Sunday, the morning after the horse improved his career record to 3 for 3 with his win in the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel at Oaklawn.

Magnum Moon earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 97 when he tracked the pace and went on to a 3 1/2-length victory over favorite Solomini. Magnum Moon was making his stakes debut after winning a maiden special weight sprint in January at Gulfstream Park with a Beyer Figure of 95 and a first-level allowance at two turns a month later at Tampa Bay Downs.

Magnum Moon covered 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.68.

“I was pleased with his overall performance,” Pletcher said Sunday. “Not only was he taking a big step up in class, he was traveling, taking an airplane for the first time. He was in a new environment, a new setting, going into the infield for [riders up]. All those situations play a role in seeing how a horse handles added pressure.”

Pletcher said Magnum Moon passed every test.

Magnum Moon, a May foal by Malibu Moon, races for Robert and Lawana Low. Pletcher said going forward, plans will be discussed for the horse, who picked up 50 points for the Kentucky Derby. Magnum Moon was scheduled to return to Florida on Monday.

“I think it’s all about how the horse comes back, how he trains, and handles the ship back and forth,” Pletcher said of making plans. “I think the most likely scenario would be to come back for the Arkansas Derby. That would be most likely if we decide we want to run between now and the Derby. We’ll see how things unfold and we’ll let him guide us.”

Pletcher said other preps that would be options are the Wood Memorial and Blue Grass.

Solomini, the runner-up in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, was making his first start since Dec. 9, when he finished first in the Grade 1 Los Al Futurity but was placed third for interference. He encountered trouble but put in his run through the stretch Saturday.

“It was a little rough for him,” trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday. “I was very proud of him. He ran a very gallant race. He took a little bobble at the start and lost his position and he was stuck down inside. He couldn’t go anywhere. He tried to go inside and they closed up on him. He had every reason to stop running and he kept on going.

“It was a very positive race. He tries hard. Every time, he’s right there. He’s tough. He’s like McKinzie, he does not quit. They don’t have quit in them. They keep running.”

Baffert added he respected the performance of Magnum Moon on Saturday.

As for Solomini, he is scheduled to fly home Monday to Southern California. Justin Zayat of Zayat Stables announced on Twitter on Sunday that the horse was being pointed for the Wood Memorial.

Combatant, who ran third in the Rebel, is 13th on the points list with 22. Trainer Steve Asmussen said Sunday plans are to be determined for the horse. Combatant was second in last month’s Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest Stakes.

Title Ready, who finished fourth, earned five points for the Kentucky Derby. His plans are to be determined, said Asmussen.

Sporting Chance, last year’s Hopeful winner who was fifth in the Rebel, came out of the race well and will point to the Arkansas Derby, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Sunday.