Handicapping the “2” Rebel Stakes

By Rick Francis —-

Due to an overflow of entries, most notably from Santa Anita, the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes for 3-year-olds will split into two contests, now carded as the eighth and tenth races; let’s have a look at the fields.

OAKLAWN PARK

RACE 8) G2 Rebel Stakes 3yo 1&1/16th Miles Post Time 4:57 CDT

1) Extra Hope – forwardly placed in last, colt out of Shanghai Bobby stayed on to best Santa Anita OC’s; that tactic and addition of Mike Smith bodes well in here.

2) Long Range Toddy – Take Charge Indy colt makes his third Oaklawn start, missing two back by a neck in the Smarty Jones and holding for third in the G3 Southwest; deep exotic plays.

3) Corruze – Into Mischief colt makes only his second dirt start; pass.

4) Easy Shot – Trappe Shot colt stayed for third in the G3 Lewis, however only beating 2 rivals.

5) Proud Nation – Tapit colt finished 40 lengths back here last month; another pass.

6) Ninth Street – blinkers come off this son of Street Boss, a strong 26 percent training angle for Asmussen; can’t hurt.

7) Classy John – by Songandaprayer, colt has finished first or second in all career starts; his ability to stay close to the leaders will work well in this.

8) Galilean – Uncle Mo colt has dominated Cal-breds in each of his last three, but he’s got the skills, don’t overlook.

9) Improbable – undefeated City Zip colt has been knocking down the stall walls itching to run, and think that’s just what he does in this; catch him early or you won’t.

Selections: 9, 8, 1, 7

Race 10) G2 Rebel Stakes 3yo 1&1/16th Miles Post Time 6:06 CDT

1) Market King (Into Mischief); faltered late here last month, his 3rd OP start. Jock change to Velazquez leads me to think connections want to steal this on the front end.

2) Laughing Fox (Union Rags); enters on a 2-race win streak, both here; has shown an ability to come from off the pac.

3) Parsimony (Dominus); maiden is in a tough spot; pass.

4) Jersey Agenda (Jersey Town); didn’t threaten in the Southwest, won’t here.

5) Game Winner (Candy Ride); Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champ is another licking his chops to get into a race, and judging by nis works, he should be ready to fire, if so the rest are running for second.

6) Omaha Beach (War Front); Mike Smith gets the call and gets an improving horse; could get a share.

7) Our Braintrust (Freud); adds blinkers after missing by a neck in the Grade 3 Withers, which wasn’t the strongest of field’s.

8) Gunmetal Gray (Exchange Rate); Flavien Prat takes the reins from Mike Smith; interesting????

9) Kaziranga (Candy Ride ); gets first blinkers; pass.

10) Captain Von Trappe (Trappe Shot); back-to-back wins here, this is the Asmussen you have to watch.

Selections: 5, 10, 6, (1-6)