Horse race
The Rebel Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses: one and one-sixteenth miles run on dirt each March at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas . As of 2024, it offers a purse of $1,250,000. It is the second leg of Oaklawn's three-year-old stakes program, run after the Southwest Stakes and before the Arkansas Derby ; it is also part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby .
History
The race was first run on March 18, 1961, as the Rebel Handicap over a distance of one mile and seventy yards. It was won by Mrs. Vera E. Smith's Bass Clef in 1:422 ⁄5 .[ 1] The victory was Bass Clef's fifth in a row, a run that included the Louisiana Derby . Later in the spring, Bass Clef would finish third to Carry Back in the Kentucky Derby .
The event immediately became a preparatory event for the Arkansas Derby . The 1965 winner Swift Ruler won both races.
In 1984, the conditions of the event were changed from handicap to stakes allowance and the event was renamed the Rebel Stakes .[ 2] That same year the distance was increased to one and one-sixteenth miles.[ 3]
In 1990, the event was upgraded to Grade III. It was downgraded to Listed for the 2003 and 2004 runnings. It was upgraded in 2008 to a Grade II by the American Graded Stakes Committee .[ 2]
Since 2013, the event has been part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby .
In 2019, the event was split into two divisions after Oaklawn president Louis Cella presented a sporting gesture after the San Felipe Stakes was abandoned in California. Road to Kentucky Derby qualification points for the first four finishers were adjusted.[ 4]
Records
Time record:
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles – 1:41.00 Vanlandingham (1984)
1 mile and 70 yards – 1:40.80 Betemight (1967)
Margins:
7 lengths – Etony (1968), Manastash Ridge (1989)
Most wins by an owner:
Most wins by a jockey :
Most wins by a trainer :
8 - Bob Baffert (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021)
Rebel Stakes – Arkansas Derby double:
Swift Ruler (1965), Traffic Mark (1969), Promised City (1975), Temperence Hill (1980), Bold Ego (1981), Sunny's Halo (1983), Demons Begone (1987), Pine Bluff (1992), Victory Gallop (1998), Smarty Jones (2004), Lawyer Ron (2006), Curlin (2007), American Pharoah (2015), Omaha Beach (2019)
Winners
Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Distance
Time
Purse
Grade
Ref
Rebel Stakes
2024
Timberlake
Cristian A. Torres
Brad H. Cox
WinStar Farm
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.00
$1,250,000
II
[ 5]
2023
Confidence Game
James Graham
J. Keith Desormeaux
Don't Tell My Wife Stables
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.21
$1,000,000
II
[ 6]
2022
Un Ojo
Ramon Vazquez
Ricky Courville
Cypress Creek Equine
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:45.69
$1,000,000
II
[ 7]
2021
Concert Tour
Joel Rosario
Bob Baffert
Gary & Mary West
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.18
$1,000,000
II
[ 8]
2020
Nadal
Joel Rosario
Bob Baffert
George Bolton, Arthur Hoyeau, Barry Lipman & Mark Mathiesen
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.97
$1,000,000
II
[ 9]
2019
Long Range Toddy
Jon Court
Steven M. Asmussen
Willis Horton Racing
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.49
$750,000
II
Division 1 [ 10]
Omaha Beach
Mike E. Smith
Richard E. Mandella
Fox Hill Farms (Rick Porter)
1:42.42
$750,000
Division 2 [ 11]
2018
Magnum Moon
Luis Saez
Todd A. Pletcher
Lawana L. & Robert E. Low
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.68
$900,000
II
[ 12]
2017
Malagacy
Javier Castellano
Todd A. Pletcher
Sumaya U.S. Stable (Oussama Aboughazale)
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.00
$900,000
II
[ 13]
2016
Cupid
Martin Garcia
Bob Baffert
Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier , Michael Tabor
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.84
$900,000
II
[ 14]
2015
American Pharoah
Victor Espinoza
Bob Baffert
Zayat Stables
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:45.78
$750,000
II
[ 15]
2014
Hoppertunity
Mike E. Smith
Bob Baffert
Karl Watson, Michael Pegram , Paul Weitman
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.90
$600,000
II
[ 16]
2013
Will Take Charge
Jon Court
D. Wayne Lukas
Willis D. Horton
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:45.18
$600,000
II
[ 17]
2012
Secret Circle
Rafael Bejarano
Bob Baffert
Karl Watson, Michael Pegram , Paul Weitman
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.55
$500,000
II
[ 18]
2011
The Factor
Martin Garcia
Bob Baffert
Fog City Stable & George Bolton
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.19
$300,000
II
[ 19]
2010
Lookin at Lucky
Garrett K. Gomez
Bob Baffert
Karl Watson, Michael Pegram , Paul Weitman
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.06
$300,000
II
[ 20]
2009
Win Willy
M. Clifton Berry
McLean Robertson
Jer-Mar Stable
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.41
$300,000
II
[ 21]
2008
Sierra Sunset
Christopher A. Emigh
Jeffrey L. Bonde
Philip Lebherz, Al Mariani, George Schmitt & Carol Wirth Trust
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.88
$300,000
II
[ 22]
2007
Curlin
Robby Albarado
Steven M. Asmussen
Padua Stables, Stonestreet Stables , George Bolton & Midnight Cry Stable
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.70
$300,000
III
[ 23]
2006
Lawyer Ron
John McKee
Robert E. Holthus
Estate of James T. Hines, Jr.
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.09
$300,000
III
[ 24]
2005
Greater Good
John McKee
Robert E. Holthus
Lewis G. Lakin
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.92
$250,000
III
[ 25]
2004
Smarty Jones
Stewart Elliott
John C. Servis
Someday Farm
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.07
$200,000
Listed
[ 26]
2003
Crowned King
Chandra R. Rennie
Billy C. McKeever Jr.
McKeever Racing Stable
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.00
$125,000
Listed
[ 27]
2002
Windward Passage
Donnie Meche
Steven M. Asmussen
Team Valor
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:45.06
$100,000
III
[ 28]
2001
Crafty Shaw
Joe M. Johnson
Peter M. Vestal
Lucky Seven Stable
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.82
$100,000
III
[ 29]
2000
Snuck In
Cash Asmussen
Steven M. Asmussen
Ackerley Brothers Farm
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.99
$100,000
III
[ 30]
1999
Etbauer
Mike E. Smith
Steve Wren
Kaaren J. & Hays M. Biggs
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.02
$125,000
III
[ 31]
1998
Victory Gallop
Eibar Coa
W. Elliott Walden
Prestonwood Farm
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.72
$125,000
III
[ 32]
1997
Phantom On Tour
Larry Melancon
Lynn S. Whiting
W. Cal Partee
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.93
$125,000
III
[ 33]
1996
Ide
Craig Perret
Peter M. Vestal
Willmott Stables
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.10
$100,000
III
[ 34]
1995
Mystery Storm
Craig Perret
Larry Robideaux Jr.
David Beard
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.41
$125,000
III
[ 35]
1994
Judge T C
Joe M. Johnson
Gary G. Hartlage
Bea & Robert H. Roberts
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.14
$125,000
III
[ 36]
1993
§ Dalhart
Mike E. Smith
Thomas K. Bohannan
Loblolly Stable
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.31
$125,000
III
[ 37]
1992
Pine Bluff
Jerry D. Bailey
Thomas K. Bohannan
Loblolly Stable
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.83
$125,000
III
[ 38]
1991
Quintana
David Guillory
David C. Cross Jr.
Gary M. Garber
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.70
$100,000
III
[ 39]
1990
Nuits St. Georges
James Edward Bruin
Douglas R. Peterson
Photini Jaffe
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:46.00
$100,000
III
[ 40]
1989
Manastash Ridge
Antonio Lopez Castanon
D. Wayne Lukas
Tayhill Stables
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.00
$100,000
[ 41]
1988
Sea Trek
Patrick A. Johnson
Gary G. Hartlage
Diana Stables
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.60
$122,500
[ 42]
1987
Demons Begone
Pat Day
Philip M. Hauswald
Loblolly Stable
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:41.40
$147,700
[ 43]
1986
Rare Brick
Mike E. Smith
A. J. Foyt III
Pin Oak Stable & A. J. Foyt
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.20
$132,600
[ 44]
1985
Clever Allemont
Pat Day
Lynn S. Whiting
W. Cal Partee
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.40
$163,500
[ 45]
1984
Vanlandingham
Pat Day
Claude R. McGaughey III
Loblolly Stable
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:41.00
$167,900
[ 46]
Rebel Handicap
1983
Sunny's Halo (CAN)
Larry Snyder
David C. Cross Jr.
David J. Foster
1 mile & 70 yards
1:42.20
$114,750
[ 47]
1982
Bold Style
Larry Snyder
Jack Van Berg
Len Mayer
1 mile & 70 yards
1:44.40
$85,700
[ 48]
1981
Bold Ego
John Lively
Dennis Werre
Double B Ranch & Joseph Kidd
1 mile & 70 yards
1:41.20
$59,300
[ 49]
1980
Temperence Hill
Darrell Haire
Joseph B. Cantey
Loblolly Stable
1 mile & 70 yards
1:44.40
$64,050
[ 50]
1979
Lucy's Axe
Eddie Maple
Joseph B. Cantey
Mrs. Lucy H. Close
1 mile & 70 yards
1:42.80
$59,850
[ 51]
1978
Chop Chop Tomahawk
Larry Snyder
Earl R. Jackson
Daybreak Farm
1 mile & 70 yards
1:42.40
$60,250
[ 52]
1977
§ United Holme
Jorge Enrique Tejeira
Robert E. Holthus
Wanda Lofton & Dixie Holthus
1 mile & 70 yards
1:44.20
$61,350
[ 53]
1976
ƒ Riverside Sam
Garth Patterson
Earl R. Jackson
Daybreak Farm
1 mile & 70 yards
1:41.60
$62,250
[ 54]
1975
Promised City
David E. Whited
Larry Spraker
Big I Farm
1 mile & 70 yards
1:44.40
$50,000
[ 55]
1974
§ Perfect Aim
Geary E. Louviere
Harold Tinker
W. Cal Partee
1 mile & 70 yards
1:44.40
$50,000
[ 56]
1973
Game Lad
Al Herrera
David R. Vance
Dan Lasater
1 mile & 70 yards
1:41.20
$30,000
[ 57]
1972
Our Trade Winds
Lonnie Ray
Robert E. Holthus
Robert Mitchell
1 mile & 70 yards
1:42.60
$25,000
[ 58]
1971
Compte Deux
Don Brumfield
Ike K. Mourar
Robert E. Lehmann
1 mile & 70 yards
1:44.40
$25,000
[ 59]
1970
Admiral's Shield
Stanley A. Spencer
Harvey L. Vanier
W. C. Robinson Jr.
1 mile & 70 yards
1:44.00
$20,000
[ 60]
1969
Traffic Mark
Phil I. Grimm
Ronnie G. Warren
Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Roberts
1 mile & 70 yards
1:42.80
$15,000
[ 61]
1968
Etony
John Pagano
Harry Holcomb
G. B. Newbill
1 mile & 70 yards
1:43.80
$12,500
[ 62]
1967
Betemight (CAN)
Henry Moreno
Douglas M. Davis, Jr.
George M. Holtsinger & Doug Davis Stables
1 mile & 70 yards
1:40.80
$10,000
[ 63]
1966
Timely Move
Marty Freed
Charlie Vinci
Cantor & Hill
1 mile & 70 yards
1:42.20
$10,000
[ 64]
1965
Swift Ruler
Larry Spraker
Gin L. Collins
Earl Allen
1 mile & 70 yards
1:44.20
$10,000
[ 65]
1964
† Spike Nail
Ronnie J. Campbell
Robert E. Holthus
C. O. Viar
1 mile & 70 yards
1:43.00
$10,000
[ 66]
1963
Devil It Is
Robert Gallimore
Gino T. Alberico
Bar-Al-Mar Stable
1 mile & 70 yards
1:45.00
$10,000
[ 67]
1962
Treasury Note
Wayne Chambers
Henry Forrest
J. C. Pollard
1 mile & 70 yards
1:42.40
$10,000
[ 68]
1961
Bass Clef
Ronald Baldwin
Anthony W. Rupelt
Mrs. Vera E. Smith
1 mile & 70 yards
1:42.40
$10,000
[ 1]
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
ƒ Ran as the field entry
† Floral Shop was first past the post but was disqualified for interference and placed second. Spike Nail was declared the winner.
See also
External links
References