Kentucky Derby 2019 favorite Game Winner got in a real tussle with fellow California shipper Omaha Beach and fell a nose short in his 3-year-old bow in the second division of the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, March 16.
Omaha Beach was considered an underachiever after losing as the favorite in his first four races, but all of that changed following a runaway maiden win in the slop Feb. 2. He made his stakes debut a winning one on Saturday and must now be considered a serious Kentucky Derby contender.
Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Omaha Beach capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
Rebel Stakes (Division 2) Recap from Oaklawn Park (3-16-19)
1st - Omaha Beach - Mike Smith used the consistent colt's early-pressing speed to perfection in this spot. After tracking the pace early, he went after longshot pacesetter Market King after a half-mile, and getting the jump on the returning 2-year-old champion made all the difference in the world. Richard Mandella's improving runner has really turned the corner in his last two starts.
2nd - Game Winner - Did not lose much in defeat. His winter training schedule was interrupted by frequent wet weather in California, and he had to alter plans and run in this race after the San Felipe Stakes was cancelled last weekend. He was more than eight lengths clear of the show finisher and has every right to move forward in his final points race in the Santa Anita Derby on April 6.
3rd - Market King - $550k son of Into Mischief took advantage of the inside post and went straight to the front under John Velazquez. He was no match for the top two but deserves props for holding off late running stakes winner Gunmetal Gray. It is a sure bet that trainer D. Wayne Lukas will run him back in the Arkansas Derby on April 13.
4th - Gunmetal Gray - Could see them all through the far turn and rallied from 10th to finish an okay 4th. He always tries hard but his lack of speed frequently puts him at a big disadvantage.
5th - Jersey Agenda - Chased the pace and was basically done after six panels.
6th - Captain Von Trapp - Made a middle move from post 10 but could not sustain his momentum and weakened in the stretch.
7th - Laughing Fox - Figured to take up an inside stalking position but was pinched back at the start and never got seriously involved.
8th - Parsimony - Chased the pace but was outclassed and retreated in the stretch.
9th - Kaziranga - 110-1 outsider never mounted a serious challenge.
10th - Our Braintrust - Appeared to have distance limitations heading into this event and that was certainly the case. He chased for the opening six furlongs before fading to last. He figures to turn back to sprints in the near future.
Article by Jarrod Horak
You can read all of my Derby blogs on my Kentucky Derby 2019 page, and my annual Triple Crown full card analysis from Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course, and Belmont Park will be available on my Runaway Horse Sales page later this spring.
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