Tipsheet: 2026 Rebel Stakes
Blackout Time breaks his maiden at Ellis Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
February 26th, 2026
A talented and well-matched field of nine sophomores will run 1 1/16 miles on the Oaklawn Park strip in Sunday’s lucrative, $1 million Rebel (G2). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale.
Rebel Stakes Picks
- #4 Blackout Time
- #3 Class President
- #7 Silent Tactic
- #2 Litmus Test
Rebel Stakes Wagers
Rebel Stakes Contenders
#2 LITMUS TEST (7-2): West Coast import from the Baffert barn has a fine foundation under him with five races to his credit, capped by a tally in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) most recently. The battle-tested son of Nyquist has posted eight morning drills in advance of his first run on the surface, and the colt figures to be forwardly placed from the break with Flavien Prat on board.
#3 CLASS PRESIDENT (10-1): Pletcher pupil impressed with a nice debut win going eight panels and was last seen checking in second in the Swale S. at Gulfstream. The Uncle Mo colt has the tactical speed to be in the hunt from the start, and I feel that the sophomore will appreciate running two turns for the initial time in this event. John Velazquez will take the reins.
#4 BLACKOUT TIME (8-5): Excellent prospect from the McPeek shedrow concluded his three-race juvenile campaign with a fine second behind champion Ted Noffey in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. The Kentucky-bred son of Not This Time drilled a bullet five-eighths on the course two back and seems ready for his 2026 debut with Brian Hernandez, Jr. in the silks. The $210,000 yearling purchase will be poised to strike nearing the top of the lane.
#5 HONEY’S TO BLAME (20-1): Second from the McPeek barn has won two straight, including an allowance win going two turns on this surface in his latest endeavor. The son of Blame will need a big step forward to challenge this fine field late, however. Manny Esquivel will guide the longshot.
.@BeemieAwards looks ahead to the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn and welcomes in reporter Carlos Morales from @agentes305 to talk about his life in racing, bringing Spanish-language racing content to the masses, and much more! 🎙️
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#6 STRATEGIC RISK (12-1): Smarty Jones S. victor came up empty late in the Southwest (G3) last time out but will be a contender with something resembling his best effort. The Noble Bird homebred has a versatile running style and could be a good value play at a price. Javier Castellano will pilot the Mark Casse charge.
#7 SILENT TACTIC (9-2): Consistently good son of Tacitus roared home to bag the Southwest impressively on Feb. 6 and rates an obvious chance right back. The Mark Casse trainee has been first or second in each of his four lifetime tries to date, and the $500,000 purchase zipped a swift four furlongs on the course in anticipation of this contest, as well. He will be doing his best work late beneath Christian Torres.
#8 RANCHO SANTA FE (12-1): Tapit homebred was a decent fourth in the Southwest and has yet to run fast enough to take down a field with this kind of depth. The colt from the Brad Cox shedrow will have Irad in the irons, but others seem more likely to me.
#9 TIME FOR MUSIC (30-1): First of two from the Asmussen barn has been defeated by a combined 35 lengths in his last two appearances and looks overmatched against this crew.
#10 SOLDIER N DIPLOMAT (10-1): $950,000 son of Army Mule came home a solid second in the Southwest in his seasonal bow and can’t be overlooked in the contest despite drawing widest of all. The Kentucky-bred has good positional speed in a race lacking a clear pacesetter and could be in a good spot throughout the race with Jose Ortiz retaining the mount.
