Rebel Stakes Picks —Betting Preview and Predictions (Mar 1)

The action on the Road to the Kentucky Derby continues on Mar 1, with the lucrative G2 Rebel Stakes boasting a purse of $1 million. This weekend’s race is the final prep before the Arkansas Derby, which offers 100 points and a guaranteed start at Churchill Downs. Find the odds and our Rebel Stakes picks here.

Odds

Rebel Stakes Recent Winners

Rebel Stakes: Event Information

ALSO SEE: DuraMAX Grand Prix Picks, Odds & Preview (Mar 1)

Race Preview

A wide-open renewal of the G2 Rebel Stakes is set for this Sunday. Bob Baffert is the dominant trainer in the race’s history, landing eight victories between 2010 and 2021.

Therefore, Litmus Test looks like the obvious starting point. The three-year-old colt by Nyquist was excellent in the G2 Los Alamitos Futurity on his final start as a juvenile. Clearly boasts the best form in the book after finishing within two lengths of Ted Noffey in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

However, Kenneth McPeek-trained Blackout Time is likely to be the exciting prospect that goes off as the favorite. The three-year-old by Not This Time also has form tying in with Ted Noffey, finishing nearly three lengths behind the BC Juvenile winner in the G1 Breeders’ Futurity.

Mark Casse has a strong pair of chances in this year’s race, beginning with Silent Tactic. The son of Tapit finished a disappointing fourth in the Southwest Stakes last time, but his finishing effort did indicate that he looks to be getting to grips with life on track. If improving on that, he could be a major rival for the market leaders.

Strategic Risk is the more interesting of the Casse runners. Despite finishing tenth in the Southwest, the three-year-old has the retained faith of Javier Castellano and holds strong form claims if repeating the effort that saw him win the Smarty Jones.

Rebel Stakes Picks

Cases can be made for many of the top selections in the betting this weekend. However, I’m prepared to forgive Strategic Risk’s run last time. Things didn’t go his way on that day, and if back to the form that saw him land the Smarty Jones, he holds very strong claims. Connections certainly haven’t lost faith at this stage.