The Rebel – Grade II [KYD]
1 1/16 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $1,000.000 Open 3 Year Olds.

1st Fear The Dragon Mb Stables Talamo J

Who says you cant buy success at HRP. This was another astute purchase by the champion trainer and yet another KYD prospect. People will be queing up for the next People Doubted when the excess qualifiers are put up for the sale by the owner who will be busily ranking his colts around now to try and work out the three that will be his representatives. So where does this one fit? Well with only five lengths from first to last in a 14 runner field and plenty of hard luck stories it is almost impossible to try and work out the web of form that will be giving us all headaches come May but i have said it before getting the points in the bag is the biggest battle with the KYD and this one now has more than enough to sit pretty until the big race.
Getting the perfect stalk on a surprisingly even pace it could’ve been so much different with a rabbit in the race but today the tactics were key and this game stayer was dour to the line in winning by a neck. This second KYD qualifier win from two efforts this year will put this one right in among the favorites for the big race.

2nd Matsue Castle Smokey Stover Alvarado J

Got a little bit too far back off just an average pace but was flying home for a very encouraging second. The trainer has been bringing this one along slowly and whilst he wasnt the fastest worker in the bunch he had shown in his previous two wins that he had the ability to run a race like this. The KYD trip will suit him down to the ground and he will be a live chance for the emerging trainer.

3rd Ardetha Aer Stables Gaffalione T

I was surprised at how well this one ran from a difficult draw and dibbs must go to his rider who recognized only an average early pace and got him up onto the speed after a sluggish start. The effort told late and he just whacked away for third in the end but he was close enough in the end to make him another outside hope for the trainer.

4th= Pure Authority Joshua Stables Ortiz I Jr

After his good third in the Risen Star i was worried that the trip at this level was a bit too testing and once again he looked tired at the end after holding a good enough position in transit. He kept on well enough for fourth but he has now had his chance twice and come up a little short both times. He has a bright future but i winder whether that future includes the TC.

4th= Liberty Valance D J C Racing Stables Bravo J

If you look at the pattern of this race you can see where this one struggled against his excellent win in the Southwest. Getting back just as he did that day the pace quickened noticeably mid race that in the Southwest and he was able to make his run late whereas today the middle of the race was slower and made it more difficult for him to mount his late challenge. He ran on well to share fourth at the end showing enough that if he can get into the race he will still be a KYD chance.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES