Timberlake Hits a High Note in Rebel Stakes Win at Oaklawn Park

February 24th, 2024 by Bob Ehalt

Content provided by BloodHorse

Oaklawn Park. 2024 Rebel Stakes, Timberlake, Cristian Torres, Brad Cox

Timberlake won the $1.25 million Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park with Cristian Torres aboard. (Coady Photography)

The National Football League had Taylor Swift, and now the 2024 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve could have Timberlake. It's uncertain if pop mega-star Justin Timberlake will be on hand at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, but there's a very good chance the equine four-legged Grade 1 winner Timberlake will be there.

Subscribe now!

Timberlake launched his sophomore campaign with another melodic note as he posted a two-length victory in the $1,250,000 Grade 2 Rebel Stakes for 3-year-olds Feb. 24 at Oaklawn Park.

"It was a great effort," said Elliott Walden, the CEO, president, and racing manager for owner WinStar Farm. "There was a lot to like. I loved the way he relaxed behind horses. That's what you need."

Trained by Brad Cox, Timberlake picked up 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby with his third victory in six starts, which ensures the million dollar-earner a spot in the starting gate for the run for the roses if he remains in good form for the next 2 1/2 months.

Winner of the one-turn mile Grade 1 Champagne Stakes as a 2-year-old, Timberlake made his first start since a fourth-place finish in the Nov. 3 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by TAA at Santa Anita Park as the 3-1 third choice.

"He's grown into himself. He ran with a little keenness last year, but he's settled in, grown up, and matured," said Walden, whose colt currently tops the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 66 points.

With Cox overseas for Saudi Crown 's third-place finish in the $20 million Saudi Cup, Walden said he would wait until the two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer returns home to discuss plans for a final Derby prep.

With regular jockey Florent Geroux also in Saudi Arabia to handle Saudi Crown, Cristian Torres gave Timberlake a patient ride in a bulky field of 12 3-year-olds. He had Timberlake fifth as Carbone carved a :47.67 opening half-mile pace on the fast track. Torres moved the 4-5 favorite ($3.60) into contention four wide on the final turn of the mile-and-a-sixteenth test. Timberlake grabbed the lead at the top of the stretch and, despite drifting out, opened up a length lead at the eighth pole and added to it, covering the distance in 1:44.

Trainer Ken McPeek completed the trifecta with the second- and third-place finishers. Common Defense rallied from seventh to finish a clear second, three lengths ahead of stablemate Northern Flame in third. Common Defense received 25 qualifying Derby points and now has 27, good for fifth on the leaderboard, while Northern Flame picked up 15 points to give him 18 and elevate him to 14th place. Woodcourt netted 10 points for fourth. Dimatic five for fifth.