Grade 2, $1 million Rebel Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Oaklawn Park, March 13, 2021 (50 Derby qualifying points for first, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth) Winner: Concert Tour, by Street Sense Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Joel Rosario Owner: Gary and Mary West Beyer Speed Figure: 94 Spring is in the air, and the Baffert 3-year-olds are blooming. The six-time Derby-winning trainer has made Oaklawn his home away from home for Derby preps over the years, and he won the Rebel for the record eighth time – all since 2010 – when CONCERT TOUR followed in the immediate footsteps of last year’s winner, Nadal. Like Nadal, Concert Tour won his debut sprinting in January and then won the San Vicente three weeks later, both at Santa Anita, then went to Oaklawn and successfully stretched out around two turns in the Rebel. Concert Tour no doubt will be aimed at a return to Oaklawn for the Arkansas Derby on April 10 as Baffert tries to keep his top prospects apart. Life Is Good is headed to the Santa Anita Derby on April 3, and right now he and Concert Tour are at the top of a list that includes Medina Spirit, Spielberg, and this race’s runner-up, HOZIER In this race, Concert Tour used his sprint speed and outside draw to maximum effect by applying pressure early on favored CADDO RIVER to take the track from him into the first turn. He led while close to the rail around the first turn and into the backstretch while cooperating with Rosario’s commands, staved off a brief bid from Caddo River a half-mile from home, continued to breeze along up front when Caddo River drew closer anew midway on the far turn, then coasted home as if out for a morning workout. He has speed, and he’s bred to go longer, being by a Derby winner and out of a mare by Tapit. His Beyer Speed Figure might not be as stratospheric as Life Is Good, but there’s no need for a peak performance seven weeks out from the Derby. This is a serious horse. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2021: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more Hozier, who finished second, saved ground on the first turn while mid-pack, had to wait in some traffic on the far turn while remaining inside and was shuffled to the rear of the field with 2 1/2 furlongs to go. He got through inside the rest of the way and rallied up the rail to beat everyone else while never threatening the winner. He’s not at the level of Life Is Good or Concert Tour, but this was a nice, intermediate step forward. BIG LAKE, who was third, tucked into a good spot right behind Concert Tour and Caddo River heading around the first turn, moved closer along the rail and followed Concert Tour into the far turn, then was angled out approaching the quarter pole and came into the lane in the four path. He was bumped solidly by a staggering Caddo River at mid-stretch, causing him in turn to bump with GET HER NUMBER, then bravely pressed onward. This is probably the outer limits of what he wants distance-wise, but this was a solid effort. SUPER STOCK, who was fourth, lacked early speed and was in front of just one horse heading around the first turn while dropping over to the two path after breaking from the outside post. He ran into a spot of traffic midway down the backstretch and briefly checked to drop back to last, was alongside Hozier for much of the far turn before tipping out to the four path to follow stablemate Big Lake, then finished evenly. He’s not good enough to compete against the division’s best, but his barn is known for properly spotting their horses, so look for him to be shrewdly managed. Caddo River, who was fifth, was a huge disappointment. His route speed was no match in the opening furlong for the California sprint speed of Concert Tour, so Florent Geroux heading into the first turn, and along the inside, had two choices: either force Caddo River to move up inside Concert Tour around the first turn, or take back slightly and get outside. He choose the latter move, and to my mind, it was the correct move. Caddo River now was in a stalking position, which should have been ideal. Caddo River was keen heading toward the backstretch, then appeared to settle better heading down the backstretch. He moved to challenge alongside Concert Tour heading around the far turn, had to be urged approaching the quarter pole to try and keep up with the breezing Concert Tour, drifted out in upper stretch to bother Big Lake – who in turn bothered Get Her Number – and steadily retreated. This was not remotely close to being representative of a top-tier Derby contender. KEEPMEINMIND, who was sixth, lacked early speed and trailed into the first turn while inside, then was angled to the three path. He moved closer down the backstretch while still toward the rear of the field and in the middle of the track, tried to rally while at least four paths wide heading around the far turn, was fanned about five wide coming off the bend, and never made much impact after that. He missed training time last month owing to the deep freeze that hit Oaklawn, so he likely was short, but he never was involved, and his figs never have quite measured up to the best of the division. He needs to take a major step forward in his next start. Get Her Number, who was seventh, was rated between rivals while mid-pack around the first turn, was sent along from the three path on the far turn, was carried out five wide into the lane, was knocked into at mid-stretch, causing him to change from his correct lead, and tired. This was a tough spot for his first race of the year. He won a Grade 1 last year, but he never really impressed as a top-tier candidate. He’s another who figures to be smartly managed going forward by connections who are realistic about their horses. TWILIGHT BLUE, who finished last of eight, raced three to four paths wide on the first turn while outside Get Her Number, moved closer down the backstretch to follow Caddo River while just outside Big Lake, but began to falter before reaching the quarter pole and continued to fade through the lane.