Meet the Contenders: 2025 Rebel Stakes
Bullard romps in the Bob Hope at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photo)
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Rebel S. at Oaklawn Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents their opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
Coal Battle wins the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#1 Coal Battle ****
Pro: Undefeated over the dirt and two-time Derby prep winner versatile in running style.
Con: Speed figures don’t stick out and will have to work out a trip from inside draw.
Admiral Dennis wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#2 Admiral Dennis ***
Pro: Has won two of last three, and poor break cost him in formful Gun Runner S.
Con: Although backers will get a reprieve from miserly odds, underlaid price is still possible.
Sandman (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Chelsea Durand)
#3 Sandman ***
Pro: Recovered well from awful break to get second money in Southwest (G3).
Con: Slow starts are not uncommon and he likely faces more traffic in this.
TwinSpires
#4 Hypnus ****
Pro: Dazzled in debut last month at Fair Grounds, posting faster time than Lecomte (G3).
Con: Relative inexperience is a hurdle, and his ability over a fast surface is unknown.
Madaket Road wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#5 Madaket Road ****
Pro: Battle tested against some of SoCal’s best so far; barn has won this eight times.
Con: Pedigree suggests elongated sprints might prove more his forte.
TwinSpires
Dreaminblue wins at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#7 Dreaminblue ***
Pro: Earned belated diploma in fast time and should get pace to chase here.
Con: Jump from maiden ranks to a G2 stakes is a serious hike.
Innovator wins at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
Smoken Wicked wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media/Churchill Downs)
#9 Smoken Wicked **
Pro: Speedball has hung tough at the graded level, including a credible fourth in Hopeful (G1).
Con: Seemingly more of a sprinting type and has been beating far lesser this winter.
Bullard romps in the Bob Hope at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#10 Bullard *****
Pro: G3-winning sprinter should appreciate belated stretchout.
Con: Fared a little worse in San Vicente (G2) than expected.
Speed King wins the Southwest S. at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#11 Speed King ****
Pro: Southwest winner has only lost once, narrowly to Coal Battle.
Con: One dimensional so far and might be forced into a stalking role from this post.
TwinSpires
#12 Brereton's Baytown *
Pro: Has won two of his last three, albeit against far easier competition.
Con: Speed figures are inadequate and is cross-entered for Turfway Saturday night.
Tiztastic wins at Kentucky Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#13 Tiztastic ***
Pro: Has placed in all stakes tries on dirt despite not getting much pace help.
Con: Sometimes flattens out inside the final furlong when unable to catch the leader.
TwinSpires
#14 Hot Gunner *
Pro: Overcame very slow pace to win Sam Houston allowance in a photo.
Con: Uncompetitive in Smarty Jones and seemingly not fast enough on paper.
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