Three graded stakes races held this past weekend in the U.S. for Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls were thrilling events dominated by the top trainers in the sport.
CHAD BROWN trainee IRON HONOR (Nyquist) won the Gotham Stakes (G3) (90 Beyer Speed Figure) at Aqueduct on Feb. 28 to remain unbeaten in two races.
BRAD COX-trained COMMANDMENT (Into Mischief) edged BILL MOTT-trained CHIEF WALLABEE in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream and on March 1, TODD PLETCHER sent out CLASS PRESIDENT (Uncle Mo) to fight back and win the Rebel Stakes (G2) over MARK CASSE-trained SILENT TACTIC at Oaklawn.
With just one major race left for most Derby contenders, the picture is beginning to get a bit clearer (Derby points listed below).
Lightly-raced Class President got his nose down at the right time Sunday at Oaklawn at the end of the 1 1/16 mile Rebel. Under jockey John Velazquez, the WinStar Farm LLC homebred was in front turning for home, joined by Southwest Stakes (G3) winner Silent Tactic, and then passed by that low-striding son of Tacitus in mid-stretch.
At the wire, the bob went to Class President, who collected $540,000 of the $1 million purse. The time was 1:43.21, just a tick faster than EXPLORA won the Honeybee Stakes (G3) earlier on the card. Class President was making just his third career start in the Rebel, first around two turns and first outside Florida. Class President passed all three tests for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher and an ownership group that includes the colt’s breeder, WinStar Farm (Kenny Troutt), First Go Racing (Preston Troutt) and China Horse Club (Kit-Har Ng).
It was Pletcher’s third victory in the 1 1/16-mile Rebel, which is Oaklawn’s third Kentucky Derby qualifying race.
Silent Tactic finished 5 ¼ lengths ahead of Litmus Test, the 3-2 favourite who was trying to give Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his record-extending ninth Rebel victory. Litmus Test, in his three-year-old debut, weakened after leading until late on the second turn.
Blackout Time, in his three-year-old debut, finished fourth, followed in order by Soldier N Diplomat, Strategic Risk, Honey’s to Blame, Rancho Santa Fe and Time for Music.
Class President, an 8-1 shot, paid $19, $9 and $5. Silent Tactic paid $4.80 and $3. Litmus Test paid $2.60. Class President was exiting a runner-up finish in the seven-furlong Swale Stakes (G2) Jan. 31 at Gulfstream Park.
The Rebel offered 105 total points (50-25-15-10-5, respectively) to the top five finishers toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby.
Oaklawn’s four-race Kentucky Derby series concludes with the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) March 28.
The last winner of the Rebel to win the Kentucky Derby was AMERICAN PHAROAH in 2015 and before that it was SMARTY JONES in 2004 and SUNNY’S HALO in 1983.
Pedigree Notes
Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) now has 64 graded stakes winners. Class President is from the mare TOP QUALITY by QUALITY ROAD, who won stakes at Emerald Downs and the Strawberry Morn Stakes at Hastings racecourse in Vancouver for David Mowat’s Ten Broeck Farm based on Washington state. Top Quality is the dam of stakes-placed American Speed and Keepsake and debut winner Pastor T.
Top Quality’s dam is Lemon Bay, an unraced daughter of Bernardini. Lemon Bay is out of Grade 2 winner Sweet Fervor who is a half-sister to millionaire Concerto (Jim Beam Stakes, Federico Tesio Stakes, etc) and Ack Ack Stakes (G3) winner Illusioned.
Rebel Quotes
Winning jockey John Velazquez (Class President): “I thought I got it (photo). I was a little fearful because he got a little bit sharp going into the first turn. I let (the reins loose) and he was perfect from then on. I was happy and where I wanted to be. When we came down the stretch and the other horse passed him, he responded.
Winning trainer Todd Pletcher via Text (Class President): “Very excited about his effort. We’ve been looking forward to getting him around two turns.”
Winning co-owner Elliott Walden, Win Star Farm (Class President): “It’s just really exciting. It’s a homebred, too. The farm’s very appreciative. Todd did a great job. Johnny did a great job. Looked Litmus Test in the eye turning for home and then went on, so this horse is really improving. Super excited.”
Second-place jockey Cristian Torres (Silent Tactic): “Tough beat, but that’s the game. He (Class President) beat me running. My horse, I’m happy with his effort. He ran how we were expecting him to run. We had a great trip and it worked out perfectly. We just got beat today.”
KENTUCKY DERBY POINTS
(+ – not eligible to Triple Crown)
Rank / Horse / Points / Owner(s) / Trainer / Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings
1. Paladin – 60 – Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter M. Brant, Brook T. Smith & Summer Wind Equine LLC (Jane Lyon), Chad Brown – $437,500
2. Silent Tactic – 50 – John C. Oxley, Mark Casse – $742,630
3. Class President – 50 – WinStar Farm LLC (Kenny Troutt), First Go Racing (Preston Trout et al) & CHC Inc. (Kit-Har Ng), Todd Pletcher – $569,700
4. Commandment – 50 – Wathnan Racing (Tameem Binhamad KH H All-Thani), Brad Cox – $329,220
5. Iron Honor – 50 – St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola), William H. Lawrence & Glassman Racing (Cathi Glassman), Chad Brown – $165,000
6. Chip Honcho – 39 – Leland Ackerley Racing LLC (Lee Ackerley), James Sherwood, Jode Shupe & John Cilia, Steve Asmussen – $170,000
7. Golden Tempo – 35 – Phipps Stable (Daisy Phipps Pulito) & St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola), Cherie DeVaux – $200,000
8. Litmus Test – 34 – SF Racing LLC (Gavin Murphy), Starlight Racing (Jack Wolf et al), Madaket Stables LLC (Sol Kumin), Stonestreet Stables LLC (Barbara Banke), Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables (Matt Dorman), Golconda Stable (Ben Goldberg), Waves Edge Capital LLC (W. Gregg Slager) & Catherine Donovan, Bob Baffert – $392,188
– +Crown the Buckeye – 28 – Paradise Farms Corp. (Peter Proscia), David Staudacher & Hooties Racing LLC (Mark B. Moore), Mike Maker – $73,500
9. Renegade – 25 – Robert & Lawana L. Low & Repole Stable (Mike Repole), Todd Pletcher – $170,000
10. Chief Wallabee – 25 – Michael & Katherine G. Ball, Bill Mott – $76,800
11. Intrepido – 23 – Dutch Girl Holdings LLC (Michele Arthur) & Irving Ventures LLC (Ruben Isla), Jeff Mullins – $260,000
12. Universe – 23 – 4 G Racing LLC (Brent Gasaway), Gregg Day, Steven Crain & Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek et al), Kenny McPeek – $204,650
13. Pavlovian – 20 – Reddam Racing LLC (J. Paul Reddam), Doug O’Neill – $327,000
14. Express Kid – 20 – Paradise Equine Farm LLC (Bradley Kleven & Sharon Kleven), Justin Evans – $308,800
15. Nearly – 20 – Centennial Farms (Donald Little), Todd Pletcher – $170,950
16. Talk to Me Jimmy – 20 – SEI Thoroughbreds (Julian Myers & Dustin Pusatere) & Rudy R. Rodriguez, Rudy Rodriguez – $110,000
17. Great White – 20 Three Chimneys Farm (Goncalo B. Torrealba) & John Ennis, John Ennis – $107,440
18. Bravaro – 20 – Albert Ciuffetelli, Stephanie S. Brennan, Shining Stables LLC, BAG Racing Stables & Paul Braverman, Saffie Joseph Jr. – $68,700
19. Soldier N Diplomat – 18 – St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola), Steve Asmussen – $258,350
20. Napoleon Solo – 15 – Gold Square LLC (Al Gold), Chad Summers – $286,520
21. Solitude Dude – 15 – Chris Fountoukis, Saffie Joseph Jr. – $190,470
22. Blackout Time – 15 – Brookdale Racing Inc. (Nader Alaali), Lance Gasaway & Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek et al), Kenny McPeek – $182,375
– +Right to Party – 15 – Chester Broman Sr., Kenny McPeek – $36,000
23. Balboa – 14 – SF Racing LLC (Gavin Murphy), Starlight Racing (Jack Wolf et al), Madaket Stables LLC (Sol Kumin), Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables (Matt Dorman), Golconda Stable (Ben Goldberg), Waves Edge Capital LLC (W. Gregg Slager) & Catherine Donovan, Brittany Russell – $144,000
– +Spice Runner – 11 – Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (Ron Winchell), Steve Asmussen – $247,426
24. Grittiness – 11 – Repole Stable (Mike Repole), Todd Pletcher – $50,000
25. Carson Street – 11 – Ike & Dawn Thrash, Brendan Walsh
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