Confidence Game

Confidence Game won his maiden race in his second career start as a 2-year-old on Aug. 13 at Churchill Downs, where he defeated a 12-horse field by five lengths going six furlongs on the main track. His next start was made in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs on Sept. 17, where he finished fifth.

Confidence Game earned his second win in an allowance race at Churchill Downs on Nov. 26. He went wire-to-wire to win by a half a length atop a nine-horse field going 1 1/16 miles on the dirt in what was his final 2-year-old start.

Confidence Game began his 3-year-old season on Jan. 21, 2023 in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds, where he finished third, beaten 7 3/4 lengths by Instant Coffee.

Despite his solid effort in against good opposition in the Lecomte Stakes, Confidence Game was sent off as an 18-1 longshot in his next race, which came in the Grade 2 $1 million Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 25. Racing 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy track in a field of 11, Confidence Game raced mid-pack much of the way until launching a four-wide advance on the turn until hitting the lead in the stretch. He then ran on to hold off the late-running Red Route One to earn a one-length victory in a time of 1:44.21. In addition to offering a million-dollar purse, the Rebel Stakes also awarded 50 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the winner, essentially guaranteeing a spot in the starting gate for Confidence Game on the first Saturday in May.

Confidence Game is trained by Keith Desormeaux. He was bred in Kentucky by the sire Candy Ride out of the mare Eblouissante by Bernardini.