Oaklawn Park: Kobe's Back gets another chance in Rebel Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Grade 2-winning 3-year-old Kobe’s Back lost all chance of winning his two-turn debut last December. He’ll get a second chance at the trip at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, when he runs in the Grade 2, $600,000 Rebel Stakes.

Kobe’s Back will be one of the top choices in the 1 1/16-mile race, which was expected to draw seven to nine horses when entries closed Wednesday. Other leading contenders include Tapiture and Strong Mandate, the one-two finishers in last month’s Grade 3, $300,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Kobe’s Back was to arrive Wednesday from Santa Anita, where in his most recent start he won the Grade 2 San Vicente at seven furlongs Feb. 16. The race was his first following a rough-and-tumble trip in the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity in his two-turn debut Dec. 14.

“He almost went down on the backside,” said John Sadler, who trains Kobe’s Back for C R K Stable. “He clipped heels badly.”

It was game over at that point, with the horse ending up 10th of 12. Kobe’s Back returned to action in the San Vicente and rallied from last for a 5 1/4-length win. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 95.

“We think he’s going to handle two turns just fine,” Sadler said. “He finished so good going seven-eighths, we’re anxious to get the two-turn race in him.”

Sadler said the Rebel became the target because he felt the San Felipe Stakes last weekend at Santa Anita came up a touch too quickly for Kobe’s Back following his big San Vicente win. Jose Lezcano has the mount in the Rebel.

Other prospects for the Rebel as of Tuesday were Ride On Curlin, to be ridden by Kent Desormeaux; Bourbonize, an impressive allowance winner; and Street Strategy, who breezed a half-mile in 50 seconds Monday under jockey Calvin Borel, getting his final quarter in 23.40.

Sheltowee’s Boy, considered for the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park, has become probable for the Rebel, trainer Brad Cox said Tuesday. A decision on whether Smarty Jones Stakes winner Tanzanite Cat will start had not been made as of Tuesday, said trainer Cody Autrey.

Tapiture is to be ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., said trainer Steve Asmussen, while Joel Rosario has the mount on Strong Mandate, according to trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

The Rebel is one of three graded stakes Saturday at Oaklawn, along with the Grade 2 Azeri and the Grade 3 Razorback.