Secret Circle and Sabercat main protagonists of the Rebel Stakes
The Grade 2, $500,000 Rebel Stakes have reeled in a competitive lineup and it is turning out to be a mouthwatering encounter between 13 sophomore colts, which are testing their mettle against each other before the Triple Crown. Brushed off their winter rust,
the colts are ready to wreak havoc over the Oaklawn Park’s dirt course at about 1 1/16 miles on 17 March, 2012.
Even more exciting than the idea that 13 Derby prospects will test their strides against fellow Derby hopefuls, is the idea that the top finishers of the two divisions of last month’s Southwest Stakes will go for glory yet again in a familiar field, but
with added adversaries only.
The Rebel Stakes, some think will finally put things into perspective and lift the haze on the potential Derby winner, which adds more spice and draws more interest for the Rebel Stakes, but the victorious California shipper, Secret Circle, in the 20 February,
2012, second division of the Southwest Stakes will probably head the jammed pack field of the Rebel Stakes.
The runner up of the Southwest Stakes, Scatman will be looking to overhaul Secret Circle this time around, with bigger purse money and a better status to be his motivation.
The third place finisher, Adirondack King has been thrown in the mix, and the 3-year-old will be looking for his first win of the season, while Jake Mo, and Reckless Jerry, the top second and third respectively, in the first division of Southwest Stakes
will look to forget what could’ve been last time around and focus on winning the 1 1/16 mile event at Oaklawn Park despite heavy competition.
However, bettors are heavily favouring the Steven Asmussen trained colt, Sabercat, who is yet to make his 2012 debut, but he is the winner of the all important Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot. Sabercat ran for his hat-trick when he downed the Delta Downs feature
race.
Secret Circle is a tough cookie though, and Baffert is confident. “He bounced out of his race really well," Baffert told DRF. "I think he's the kind of horse that's just starting to wake up a little bit. He's done everything just on natural talent.
"Eventually we're going to find his limitations. He's going to have to win the Rebel for me to think further distance, so we'll see what he does, if he takes another step forward distance-wise."
Tags: