PLETCHER SCORES SECOND STRAIGHT REBEL WITH MAGNUM MOON

By Jennifer Hoyt —-

Magnum Moon leads them home in the 58th Rebel; All Photos by Coady Photography

Hot Springs, AR (Saturday, March 17, 2018) – Robert and Lawana Low’s Magnum secured 50 points towards Kentucky Derby eligibility and provided trainer Todd Pletcher with his second straight victory in the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) with his authoritative win before a record crowd of 37,500. Pletcher won the race last year with Malagacy.

Forwardly placed early, Magnum Moon tracked Title Ready through fractions of 23.42 and 47.15 for the first half mile. He began his bid on the far turn, shook free of the field through the stretch and finished 3 ½ lengths in front of even money favorite Solomini to remain undefeated in three career starts. Combatant, the runner up in both of Oaklawn’s Smarty Jones and Southwest (G3) Stakes overcame a rough trip to finish third. The winning time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:42.68 over a fast track.

“We felt like we had a very talented colt,” Pletcher said via phone. “We were very pleased with his first two races. But, this was a step up in class and running against accomplished, seasoned colts. We were confident that he was training very well, coming into it in great shape and just hoping he could handle the continued rise in class.”

The pacesetter Title Ready held on for fourth and was followed by Sporting Chance, Zing Zang, High North, Higher Power, Pryor and Curlin’s Honor.

Magnum Moon, a Malibu Moon colt, has now earned $577,800. He returned $8, $3.60 and $3 as the 3-1 second choice in the field.

The Rebel Stakes winner is now ranked fifth on the Kentucky Derby list with 50 points. Solomini is now ranked ninth with 34 points, Combatant is 13th with 22. The Derby field is limited to the 20 starters with the most points.

Pletcher said that the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) April 14 is the next logical step for Magnum Moon, who could earn an additional 100 points by winning that race.

Live racing resumes Sunday at Oaklawn with a 1:30 p.m. first post.

$900,000 Rebel Stakes Quotes

Winning trainer Todd Pletcher, Magnum Moon: “We felt like we had a very talented colt. Very pleased with his first two races. But this was a step up in class and running against accomplished, seasoned colts. We were confident that he was training very well, coming into it in great shape and just hoping he could handle the continued rise in class.”

Jockey Luis Saez sticking with Magnum Moon and giving up Sporting Chance: “We were high on the colt. Louie’s ridden him both starts and we were happy with that. We always thought a lot of him, from early on when was at my dad’s training center as a yearling and as a 2-year-old. It didn’t really change our confidence level so much. But that was a difficult decision. Sporting Chance is a very nice horse.”

“There’s nothing like seeing it actually happen. You can always prepare for it and hope for it and all that. It’s still up to the horse to go there out and prove it. Very proud of him for doing it today.”

Pletcher said the Arkansas Derby is the “most likely and most logical spot” for Magnum Moon.

Winning rider Luis Saez, Magnum Moon: Talking about the decision making process to ride Magnum Moon over G1 Hopeful winner Sporting Chance: “We took like two weeks to make that decision (to ride Magnum Moon). I always thought this horse was going to be a good horse. I love Sporting Chance, he’s a very good horse. But we decide to ride him today and he proved he’s a good horse.”

Talking about his trip down the lane: “He was traveling pretty good. He broke good and was in the right spot. When he came to the stretch, he just kept running and never stopped.”

“Well it was magnificent you know. That horse is a pretty good horse. He proved today that he can really run and I don’t know. Let’s see, hopefully everything will be going good for the Arkansas Derby.”

Winning owner Robert Low, Magnum Moon: “We’re just going to relish this victory and take one (win) at a time We’ll just see how he comes back. Luis, Todd, the whole team did a fantastic job and we’re just so proud to be associated with this horse.

“We’d been communicating with Todd where he was. We were confident, but nervous. He got the job done. Todd is very organized. We knew he had him ready for the race.”

Jockey Flavien Prat, second on even money favorite Solomini: “Had a good race… We had a good trip. We got on the inside and that’s not the best for him, but then I wasn’t going to keep him off. And he made a nice run. I mean he ran a good second.”

Trainer Steve Asmussen, third, fourth and sixth with Combatant, Title Ready and Zing Zang respectively: “Zing Zang, the race track has not been playing towards him at all this year. Combatant, I would have loved to have had a better draw so he would have had a better position earlier. He made a long run and looked like he got a little tired down the lane. Title Ready held on really well.”

Jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr., third with Combatant – :He ran good today again. He doesn’t know how to run yet so he is doing better and better every time. He only got beat for a second He ran good, I am happy how he ran. Steve is happy and the owner is happy and you know we will go from there.”