Recapping Saturday’s Split Divisions of the Rebel

By Emily Shields

Oaklawn Park’s $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) went through quite the change this week, splitting into two $750,000 divisions and luring a plane load of top horses from California. Trainer Bob Baffert brought in two unbeaten stars in divisional champion Game Winner and flashy Improbable, but ended up losing both races by a neck and a nose when upset by local horse Long Range Toddy in one and fellow Golden State shipper Omaha Beach in the other.

The first division, which went as race 8, went to Long Range Toddy ($18.80). Second in the Smarty Jones and third in the Southwest Stakes (G3), Long Range Toddy was dismissed behind shippers Improbable, Galilean, and Extra Hope, who ultimately finished second, third, and fourth.

Long Range Toddy, by Take Charge Indy, was ridden by Jon Court for trainer Steve Asmussen. He rallied in deep stretch when it looked as though Improbable was already gone, but was ultimately caught. The final time for the 1 1/16 mile distance was 1:42.49.

Three-time grade 1 victor Game Winner was heavily backed in the second division, race 10. He settled in mid pack early while pacesetting longshot Market King paved the way up front. Eventual winner Omaha Beach came on to take over the lead in the backstretch, then had enough to hold off a rallying Game Winner in the lane. The two horses finished 8 ¼ lengths over Market King third, while the stretch-running Gunmetal Gray finished strongly to be fourth. The final time was 1:42.42.

Omaha Beach, owned by Fox Hill Farms and trained by Richard Mandella, is a son of War Front out of the Seeking the Gold Mare Charming. That dam is out of dual grade 1 winner Take Charge Lady, who is also the dam of Take Charge Indy, sire of Long Range Toddy. She is also the dam of millionaire Will Take Charge; Omaha Beach’s female family is actively productive. 

Kentucky Derby standings are as follows, with points:

1. War of Will (60)
2. Code of Honor (54)
3. Long Range Toddy (53.5)
4. Haikal (50)
5. Tacitus (50)
6. Game Winner (45)
7. Omaha Beach (37.5)
8. Mind Control (30)
9. Improbable (25)
10. Gunmetal Gray (21.75)
11. Bourbon War (21)
12. Somelikeithotbrown (20)
13. Country House (20)
14. Outshine (20)
15. Knicks Go (18)
16. Signalman (18)
17. Mucho Gusto (14)
18. Tax (12) 
19. Super Steed (10)
20. Complexity (10)