Saturday’s $1 million Rebel Stakes is the third of four qualifying points preps at Oaklawn Park for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and it has an influential history on the road to the Derby.
Making the Grade, which will run through the 2021 Triple Crown races, focuses on the winners or top performers of the key races, usually from the previous weekend, who could make an impact on the Triple Crown. We’ll be taking a close look at impressive winners and evaluating their chances to win classic races based upon ability, running style, connections (owner, trainer, jockey), and pedigree.
Rebel Stakes day — the second-biggest day of racing at Oaklawn Park — is Saturday. Only Arkansas Derby day offers higher purses and bigger races at the Hot Springs, Ark. track.
Each week members of the media around the country vote on the nation's top contenders on the Triple Crown trail in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll. The poll will run weekly through June 5. Find out the latest 2021 top 3-year-old rankings below.
