Oaklawn Park: Large field expected for Rebel Stakes

Oaklawn Park racing secretary Pat Pope is expecting a large field for next Saturday's Grade 2, $600,000 Rebel Stakes. Probables for the 1 1/16-mile race include Tapiture and Strong Mandate, who finished one-two in the Grade 3, $300,000 Southwest last month at Oaklawn, and Kobe’s Back, winner of the Grade 2 San Vicente at Santa Anita.

“I believe there will be 10 to 12 horses in the Rebel,” racing secretary Pat Pope said.

Ride On Curlin, third in both the Southwest and last fall’s Champagne, is a go for the Rebel and will be ridden by Kent Desormeaux, trainer Billy Gowan said. Bourbonize, an allowance winner, also is being pointed to the race, according to trainer Kellyn Gorder. Street Strategy, a dominant maiden winner, is a candidate for the Rebel, trainer Randy Morse said.

Sheltowee’s Boy, an allowance winner last month at Oaklawn, will breeze Sunday in preparation for the Rebel, but trainer Brad Cox said he’s also keeping open the option of a start in the Grade 3, $550,000 Spiral at Turfway Park.

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

Tanzanite Cat, winner of the $150,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn in January, is “50-50” for the Rebel, trainer Cody Autrey said. He said the horse also is under consideration for the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby. Walt, runner-up in the Smarty Jones, will be sidelined for the next few months and will focus on a fall campaign, trainer Chris Hartman said.

Strong Mandate, winner of the Grade 1 Hopeful, will be ridden by Joel Rosario, said trainer D. Wayne Lukas. The horse breezed first set Thursday, going five furlongs in 1:03.60, with Oaklawn head clocker Jim Hamilton getting the horse’s final quarter in 23.40 seconds.

“We got something serious in him, and we won’t have to do hardly anything before the race,” Lukas said.

Ride On Curlin also had a significant move here Thursday, breezing seven furlongs in 1:26.90, from the three-quarter pole to the seven-eighths pole. Hamilton carried him galloping out a mile in 1:41. The move came under exercise rider Brian Beccia.

“I planned on working him a couple of days ago, but the weather got me,” Gowan said. “The main thing I wanted was to get a good, strong work in him, put air in him. He came home the last quarter in 23 and change. He did it the right way. I think it sets us up perfect for the Rebel.”

The Rebel offers 85 preference points for the Kentucky Derby on a system administered by Churchill Downs. The winner will earn 50; with second worth 20; third, 10; and fourth, 5.

The Rebel will share a card with the Grade 2, $200,000 Azeri and the Grade 3, $200,000 Razorback in a new, power-packed program designed to serve as a preview day for Racing Festival of the South stakes the last week of Oaklawn’s meet. The infield is scheduled to be open Saturday.

On Fire Baby eyes Azeri

On Fire Baby is to work Sunday for a possible start in the Azeri, trainer Gary Hartlage said. The race would be her first start since October. Hartlage said following the workout he and owner Anita Cauley will make a decision on the Azeri.

Don’t Tell Sophia is pointing to the Azeri, trainer Phil Sims said Friday. Other potential starters include Dixie Strike and Sister Ginger.

Rose to Gold, who had been considered for the race, will instead await the Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom on April 11, trainer Sal Santoro said. He said Rose to Gold is scheduled to ship to Oaklawn from her Calder base later this month in order to be able to work twice over the track in Hot Springs.

Potential starters for the Razorback include Bourbon Courage and Right To Vote. The card will be drawn Wednesday.