Handicapping: Title Ready gets the nod in Grade II Rebel Stakes

By Rick Francis —-

Title Ready; Coady Photography

The road to the 144th Kentucky Derby heads to Hot Springs, Arkansas Saturday when a field of eleven three-year-old colts set down to do battle in the 58th running of the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes. Six-time winning trainer Bob Baffert looks for his seventh Rebel victory since 2010 when he sends out B.C. Juvenile runner-up Solomini, making his first start of the year, but faces a tough trio from the Steve Asmussen barn; it’ll be an exciting contest with the top four finishers earning the ever-so valuable Derby points. Let’s take a look at the field.

Race 10) 1&1/16th Mile. Rebel S. Grade II. Purse $900,000 THREE YEAR OLDS.
Post Time: 7:09/( 6:09)/ 5:09/ 4:09
ADVANCED FORECAST: Mostly Cloudy, High 76 Low 49.

Title Ready (1), Asmussen/Ortiz, J; More Than Ready colt enters off a strong allowance win here last month and with the addition of dangerous jockey Jose Ortiz in the irons, they’ll have to run him down.

Curlin’s Honor (2), Casse/Geroux; Curlin colt stretches out for the first time as he goes for his third straight win; has been working very quickly at Fair Grounds.

Solomini (3), Baffert/Prat; Juvenile runner-up makes his first start since being DQ’ed out of first in the Grade 1 Los Al Futurity back in December. All Baffert starters work fast and are fast, and this Curlin colt is no different, posting a bullet prep a week ago.

Magnum Moon (4), Pletcher/Saez; 2017’s winning trainer Pletcher (Malagacy), has this Malibu Moon colt off and running winning his first two, however the depths of field quality in those two contests are suspect; nevertheless, you can’t overlook a Pletcher starter.

Higher Power (5), Von Hemel/Eramia; out of Medaglia d’Oro, he comes in on a 2-race win streak, the last over OC’s here in January; major class-test.

Pryor (6), Moquett/Albarado; Paynter colt broke his maiden here last month in the slop and feel that’ll be the only way he contends in this; forecast is dry.

Sporting Chance (7), Lukas/Velazquez; winner of the G1 Hopeful was pushed around quite a bit last out in the Southwest finishing a distant third; several solid condition drills and jock change to Hall of Famer Johnny V puts this Tiznow squarely back in the mix.

High North (8), Cox/Stevens; son of Midnight Lute offered little in the Risen Star, and though this barn is HOT, and a jockey change to Stevens are factors to consider, just don’t think this guy is ready for a photo.

Zing Zang (9), Asmussen/Lanerie; other than his maiden win back in December, this Tapit colt hasn’t been close to a board finish, won’t here.

Combatant (10), Asmussen/Santana; the last of the Asmussen trio, this Scat Daddy colt has finished second in three straight, including a solid try here in the Southwest. He’ll be ready, but think he comes up short once again.

Bode’s Maker (11), Milligan/Loveberry; Bodemeister colt makes his fifth straight Oaklawn start with his best finish last out to place; don’t see it.

Selections: 1, 3, 2, 10