McPeek seeks to turn the tables on Baffert in Rebel

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Ken McPeek is looking forward to a rematch with trainer Bob Baffert on Saturday in the Grade 2, $750,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. McPeek has the race’s probable second choice in The Truth Or Else, with Baffert sending out champion American Pharoah. Back in 2010, the trainers were part of a memorable renewal of the Rebel when the Baffert-trained Lookin At Lucky overcame trouble for a head win over the McPeek trainee Noble’s Promise.

American Pharoah and The Truth Or Else are part of a seven-horse field for the Rebel, a 1 1/16-mile prep for the Arkansas Derby that anchors a card of three graded stakes races. Untapable, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2014, will start her season from the rail in the Grade 2, $300,000 Azeri, while stablemate Tapiture also drew the fence for the Grade 3, $250,000 Razorback Handicap.

American Pharoah, who will break from post 4 under Victor Espinoza, arrived on the Oaklawn backstretch at 12:30 p.m. Central on Wednesday after flying in from Southern California. He is stabled one barn over from The Truth Or Else, who drew the rail and is to be ridden by Calvin Borel.

“We were second in this race with Noble’s Promise, and Baffert beat me with Lookin At Lucky,” McPeek said Wednesday. “This time, we have every intention of beating him.”

McPeek feels that The Truth Or Else is sitting on a strong performance Saturday. He made his first start of the year in the Grade 3, $300,000 Southwest on Feb. 22 at Oaklawn, was pushed out wide in the first turn, and recovered to close for second, beaten just three-quarters of a length by Far Right. The start was The Truth Or Else’s first since November, and he earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 90.

“Everything’s been pretty easy coming up into his second race,” McPeek said. “He needed one maintenance breeze and worked exceptionally well over the weekend, and I think you’ll see some improvement. He can’t have any worse a trip than he had last time.”

Last year, The Truth Or Else was third in the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont Park, one start after a powerful maiden special weight win at the track in September. He also ran third in the Grade 2 Nashua at Aqueduct.

“He broke his maiden going a flat mile, was real impressive doing that,” McPeek said. “I think all along he’s wanted two turns.”

McPeek said The Truth Or Else got some downtime at his farm after a sixth-place finish in the Grade 2 Remsen on Nov. 29, then was brought to Oaklawn to be part of the 3-year-old series for owner Harold Lerner.

“He got a chance to fill out, grow up, and right now he’s doing exceptionally well,” McPeek said of The Truth Or Else. “I think he’s spot on.”

The Truth Or Else is a son of Yes It’s True and the Colonial Affair mare Lakenheath, who was a multiple Grade 3 winner and earner of $556,066.

The Rebel will go as the 10th race on an 11-race card that starts at 1 p.m. Central. The Rebel is at 6:06 p.m. The field, from the rail with riders: The Truth Or Else, Borel; Madefromlucky, John Velazquez; Tizwonderfulcreek, Belen Quinonez; American Pharoah, Espinoza; Bold Conquest, Ricardo Santana Jr.; Paid Admission, Shaun Bridgmohan; and Sakima, Ramon Vazquez.

Take Charge Brandi, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2014 who had been pointing for the Rebel but will miss the race after being diagnosed with a non-displaced bone chip in her right knee, has shipped to Kentucky for further evaluation and is due to return to Oaklawn on Saturday, said trainer D. Wayne Lukas.