Oaklawn sealed the track mid-afternoon and rain made the track a little off for the Rebel Stakes.
An exciting race in the Rebel Stakes. Strong Mandate took the lead early, but Ride on Curlin pressed him the entire way. Strong Mandate tried to open up on the turn but Ride on Curlin was trying to stay in the race and was ridden hard to stay with him and not let him get loose. Strong Mandate took a third stab at the lead just into the stretch and Ride on Curlin on the inside of him fought back.
Tapiture was sitting in the garden spot the entire race, waiting for his spot to open, came into the stretch and made the decision to go outside rather than inside. Ride on Curlin slammed into Strong Mandate halfway down the stretch this caused a chain reaction with both Strong Mandate tiring to 4th. When Tapiture was trying to find a spot to run, Hoppertunity came up on the outside and Strong Mandate slammed into Tapiture causing him to lose momentum. Tapiture rated until the turn and his chance at victory was slammed shut when Strong Mandate came out on him half way down the stretch.
Hoppertunity made a run down the backstretch and got involved into the race and he had flashed potential in all three of his wins, today he was ridden close to the pace and made a step up in his 4th lifetime race. He ranged up on the turn, and waited to switch leads at the 1/8th pole it was a race to the wire with Tapiture and Hoppertunity out finished Tapiture by a head.
Strong Mandate is now 0/4 in route races and has shown no ability to rate, he has also lost on a sloppy track which was his calling card. But he has enough points to probably make the Derby field and he will march on to the Arkansas Derby.
Tapiture ran a strong race. He rated perfectly. If he goes to the rail he wins, if he doesn’t get slammed by Strong Mandate he wins. Just the way things happened he was forced to wait and chose to go outside just as Ride on Curlin came in on Strong Mandate.
Hoppertunity is a nice horse and has plenty of points and wants a distance. But has run three races this year and early plans after the race are to run 1 more. The only real race left would be Santa Anita or Arkansas Derby. The Arkansas Derby would require shipping back from California and going up against the same crew of horses. He also has no races as a Juvenile. 4 starts as a 3-year-old with no Juvenile races is not the best potential mix to peak on May 3rd.
Kobe’s Back had nothing which was surprising. Back to sprinting.
Street Strategy didn’t fire after looking good in the post parade. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him back for the Arkansas Derby.
How they did not move Ride On Curlin down to 4th is unexplainable. He caused everything, he tired and slammed into Strong Mandate who came in on Tapiture.
The top 4 horses will probably come back for the Arkansas Derby and I would expect a different result.