
Stars of Yesterday: Looking Back at Best Rebel Stakes Winners
As much as Thoroughbreds turn a year older on Jan. 1, some things stay the same. Like the quest for Triple Crown glory. The newly turned 3-year-olds at Oaklawn Park will get their chance to chase Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve qualifying points in Saturday’s Smarty Jones Stakes where 10-5-3-2-1 points will be distributed to the top five finishers. The race is named for the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner who won three stakes at Oaklawn en route to the starting gate at Churchill Downs. Mystik Dan, who won the 2024 run for the roses, finished fifth in the last edition of the Smarty Jones.
1. Kale’s Angel (2-1): He’s coming off a 5 ¾-length victory in blazing fast time in a stakes while racing on dirt for the first time, but that was at 5 ½ furlongs. His only other win was at five furlongs on turf. Has enough speed to be dangerous but seems like a risky play at this distance and a low morning line price.
JOCKEY: Ramon Vazquez, TRAINER: Peter Miller
2. Hot Gunner (20-1): Won his debut and since then has come up short in five straight starts. Seems like a tough spot to resume his winning ways.
JOCKEY: Harry Hernandez, TRAINER: Scott Young
3. Optical (12-1) Comes off a win in a starter allowance race at Churchill Downs and will have to take a big step forward to be a main threat.
JOCKEY: Axel Concepion; TRAINER: Keith Desormeaux
4. Bon Temps (30-1): In his only two starts, he was no better than fourth in maiden special weight company. Even for a legendary Hall of Fame trainer, winning seems a bit of stretch for this one.
JOCKEY: Martin Garcia; TRAINER: D. Wayne Lukas
5. Mo Quality (5-1): Comes off a solid maiden win at Churchill Downs in fast time. Has yet to run beyond 6 ½ furlongs but he seems to be moving in the right direction.
JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Christopher Davis
6. Hot Property (8-5): Won his only start in convincing fashion on the front end at this distance. Comes from a barn that excels on the Triple Crown trail and should be a major force here.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Brad Cox
7. Curvino (12-1): Was 0-for-6 in maiden special weight company in California before he finally won in a maiden claimer on this track. Starting a winning streak in a stakes seems unlikely.
JOCKEY: Francisco Arrieta; TRAINER: Peter Miller
8. Coal Battle (9-2): Rallied sharply to win the Remington Springboard Mile Stakes and should appreciate the added distance here. He’s unbeaten in three dirt races and is definitely a main threat in this field.
JOCKEY: Juan Vargas; TRAINER: Lonnie Briley
THE PICK: Hot Property
LIVE LONGSHOT: Mo Quality
SUPERFECTA: 6-8-5-1