Rebel Stakes

Road to the Kentucky Derby > Rebel Stakes

Rebel Stakes

Rebel Stakes Race Facts

  • Location: Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs, AR
  • Inaugural Race: 1961
  • Current Distance: 1 1/16 miles
  • Track Type: Left-Handed Dirt
  • Age Qualifications: Three-year-olds
  • Status: Grade 2
  • 2023 Purse: $1,000,000
  • 2023 Race Date: Saturday, February 25th

The Remsen Stakes is any early race in the Road to the Kentucky Championship Series . Usually held each year early in March, winners of the contest are awarded 50-20-15-10-5 points respectively.

2023 Rebel Stakes Race Results

POSTHORSEJOCKEY / TRAINERWIN / PLACE / SHOW
7Confidence GameJames Graham / J. Keith Desormeaux$39.00 / $13.20 / $7.80
3Red Route OneCristian A. Torres / Steven M. Asmussen$8.20 / $5.00
6ReincarnateJohn R. Velazquez / Tim Yakteen$5.20
1VerifyingFlorent Geroux / Brad H. Cox
10Bourbon BashMickaelle Michel / D. Wayne Lukas
5Giant MischiefIrad Ortiz, Jr. / Brad H. Cox
4Gun PilotRicardo Santana, Jr. / Steven M. Asmussen
11Frosted DepartureFrancisco Arrieta / Kenneth G. McPeek
2PowerfulIsaac Castillo / Steven M. Asmussen
9Event DetailGerardo Corrales / Paulo H. Lobo
8TalladegaFlavien Prat / Rodolphe Brisset

Exotic Payoffs:

  • $1 Exacta (7-3) Paid: $134.00
  • $0.50 Trifecta (7-3-6) Paid: $709.70
  • $0.10 Superfecta (7-3-6-1) Paid: $419.79

The History of the Rebel Stakes

First run in 1961, the Rebel Stakes is an important part of the Oaklawn Park spring 3-year-old series, and an important lead-up to the Arkansas Derby. It’s a dirt surface race on a left-handed track for three-year-olds. Inaugurated in 1961 as the Rebel Handicap, the race was initially contested at 1 mile & 70 yards but it was increased slightly to 1 1/16th miles when the event was changed from handicap to stakes allowance in 1984 and renamed. The average number of of starters is 10.2, with the 15-horse field in 1980 being the largest ever for the event. It’s also included in the first part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship series. The first five home are given points on a 50-20-15-10-5 basis.

The race considered an important prep race for the $1 million Arkansas Derby. Since the first running, a total of 14 horses have won both the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby in the same year. Nine horses have won both the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby and one American Classic race: Curlin, Smarty Jones, Victory Gallop, Pine Bluff, Sunny’s Halo, Temperance Hill, American Pharoah, Magnum Moon, and Omaha Beach.

Of these horses, Temperance Hill, Sunny’s Halo, Pine Bluff, Victory Gallop, Smarty Jones, Curlin, and American Pharoah would all go on to win legs of the Triple Crown, as did 2010 winner Lookin At Lucky. American Pharoah holds the distinction of winning both and the Triple Crown in 2015.

The biggest margin of victory at the Rebel Stakes is seven lengths. The record is co-owned by Etony (1968) and Manatash Ridge (1989). The record for fastest winning time at 1 1/16th miles is 1:41.00, set by Vanlandingham in 1984. The record set at 1 mile & 70 yards is 1:40 4/5, which was set by Betemight in 1967.

The record for most wins by an owner is five (Loblolly Stable – 1980, 1984, 1987, 1992, and 1993). The record for most wins by a jockey is five (Mike E. Smith – 1986, 1993, 1999, 2014 and 2019), and the most wins by a trainer is Bob Baffert, who won the event a whopping eight times (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, and 2021)

Rebel Stakes Past Winners

YearWinnerJockey / TrainerDistance / Time
2023Confidence GameJames Graham / J. Keith Desormeaux1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.21
2022Un OjoRamon A. Vazquez / Ricky Courville1 1⁄16 miles / 1:45.69
2021Concert TourJoel Rosario / Bob Baffert​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.18
2020NadalJoel Rosario / Bob Baffert​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.97
2019 (Division 1)Long Range ToddyJon Court / Steven M. Asmussen​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.49
2019 (Division 2)Omaha BeachMike E. Smith / Richard E. Mandella​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.42
2018Magnum MoonLuis Saez / Todd A. Pletcher​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.68
2017MalagacyJavier Castellano / Todd A. Pletcher​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.00
2016CupidMartin Garcia / Bob Baffert​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.84
2015American PharoahVictor Espinoza / Bob Baffert​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:45.78
2014HoppertunityMike E. Smith / Bob Baffert​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.90
2013Will Take ChargeJon Court / D. Wayne Lukas​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:45.18
2012Secret CircleRafael Bejarano / Bob Baffert​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.55
2011The FactorMartin Garcia / Bob Baffert​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.19
2010Lookin at LuckyGarrett K. Gomez / Bob Baffert​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.06
2009Win WillyM. Clifton Berry / McLean Robertson​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.41
2008Sierra SunsetChristopher A. Emigh / Jeff Bonde​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.88
2007CurlinRobby Albarado / Steven M. Asmussen​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.70
2006Lawyer RonJohn McKee / Robert E. Holthus​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.09
2005Greater GoodJohn McKee / Robert E. Holthus​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.92
2004Smarty JonesStewart Elliott / John C. Servis​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.07
2003Crowned KingChandra R. Rennie / Billy C. McKeever Jr.​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.00
2002Windward PassageDonnie Meche / Steven M. Asmussen​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:45.06
2001Crafty ShawJoe M. Johnson / Peter M. Vestal​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.82
2000Snuck InCash Asmussen / Steven M. Asmussen​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.99
1999EtbauerMike E. Smith / Steve Wren​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.02
1998Victory GallopEibar Coa / W. Elliott Walden​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.72
1997Phantom On TourLarry Melancon / Lynn S. Whiting​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.93
1996IdeCraig Perret / Peter M. Vestal​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.10
1995Mystery StormCraig Perret / Larry Robideaux Jr.​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.41
1994Judge T CJoe M. Johnson / Gary G. Hartlage​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.14
1993§ DalhartMike E. Smith / Thomas K. Bohannan​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.31
1992Pine BluffJerry D. Bailey / Thomas K. Bohannan​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.83
1991QuintanaDavid Guillory / David C. Cross Jr.​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.70
1990Nuits St. GeorgesJames Edward Bruin / Douglas R. Peterson​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:46.00
1989Manastash RidgeAntonio Lopez Castanon / D. Wayne Lukas​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.00
1988Sea TrekPatrick A. Johnson / Gary G. Hartlage​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.60
1987Demons BegonePat Day / Philip M. Hauswald​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:41.40
1986Rare BrickMike E. Smith / A. J. Foyt III​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.20
1985Clever AllemontPat Day / Lynn S. Whiting​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.40
1984VanlandinghamPat Day / Claude R. McGaughey III​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:41.00
1983Sunny's Halo (CAN)Larry Snyder / David C. Cross Jr.1 mile & 70 yards / 1:42.20
1982Bold StyleLarry Snyder / Jack Van Berg1 mile & 70 yards / 1:44.40
1981Bold EgoJohn Lively / Dennis Werre1 mile & 70 yards / 1:41.20
1980Temperence HillDarrell Haire / Joseph B. Cantey1 mile & 70 yards / 1:44.40
1979Lucy's AxeEddie Maple / Joseph B. Cantey1 mile & 70 yards / 1:42.80
1978Chop Chop TomahawkLarry Snyder / Earl R. Jackson1 mile & 70 yards / 1:42.40
1977§ United HolmeJorge Enrique Tejeira / Robert E. Holthus1 mile & 70 yards / 1:44.20
1976ƒ Riverside SamGarth Patterson / Earl R. Jackson1 mile & 70 yards / 1:41.60
1975Promised CityDavid E. Whited / Larry Spraker1 mile & 70 yards / 1:44.40
1974§ Perfect AimGeary E. Louviere / Harold Tinker1 mile & 70 yards / 1:44.40
1973Game LadAl Herrera / David R. Vance1 mile & 70 yards / 1:41.20
1972Our Trade WindsLonnie Ray / Robert E. Holthus1 mile & 70 yards / 1:42.60
1971Compte DeuxDon Brumfield / Ike K. Mourar1 mile & 70 yards / 1:44.40
1970Admiral's ShieldStanley A. Spencer / Harvey L. Vanier1 mile & 70 yards / 1:44.00
1969Traffic MarkPhil I. Grimm / Ronnie G. Warren1 mile & 70 yards / 1:42.80
1968EtonyJohn Pagano / Harry Holcomb1 mile & 70 yards / 1:43.80
1967Betemight (CAN)Henry Moreno / Doug M. Davis, Jr.1 mile & 70 yards / 1:40.80
1966Timely MoveM. Freed / Charlie Vinci1 mile & 70 yards / 1:42.20
1965Swift RulerLarry Spraker / Gin L. Collins1 mile & 70 yards / 1:44.20
1964† Spike NailRonnie J. Campbell / Robert E. Holthus1 mile & 70 yards / 1:43.00
1963Devil It IsRobert Gallimore / G. Alberico1 mile & 70 yards / 1:45.00
1962Treasury NoteWayne Chambers / Henry Forrest1 mile & 70 yards / 1:42.40
1961Bass ClefRonald Baldwin / Anthony W. Rupelt1 mile & 70 yards / 1:42.40