Southwest runner-up Soldier N Diplomat to start next in Rebel

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Soldier N Diplomat, who opened his 3-year-old season with a runner-up finish in the Southwest at Oaklawn, is scheduled to make his next start in the track’s Rebel, trainer Steve Asmussen said Tuesday.

The Grade 2, $1 million race, which will be run over 1 1/16 miles, is March 1.

Solider N Diplomat breezed Monday at Oaklawn, going five furlongs on a track rated good in 1:01.60.

“He’s training well, is on target for the Rebel,” Asmussen said.

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The Southwest – run a week later than scheduled on Feb. 6 – was Soldier N Diplomat’s first start since running third in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club on Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs. In the Southwest, he stalked the pace and rallied on for second. He earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 82.

“I thought he did a lot of things right and should benefit from the run,” Asmussen said. “He came out of it in good shape and we’re ready to try them again.”

Soldier N Diplomat is a son of Army Mule who brought $950,000 at the OBS March sale last year from St. Elias Stable. He ranks 14th on the Kentucky Derby points list with 13.

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