THE Kentucky Derby trials keep coming and this weekend’s is the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn. Bad weather has resulted in the meeting being moved to Sunday.
It features the one-two from the Grade 3 Southwest at the track in late January, where Ron Moquett’s Speed King held off Sandman by a length.
Sandman, a son of Tapit trained by Mark Casse (pictured), looks the likely favourite, despite his defeat last time. He lost ground at the start in the Southwest.
Winner of two of his six starts, he was second to Speed King in that contest and has 14 points on the Kentucky Derby points board.
In the Southwest, Speed King went right to the lead and stayed there and now seeks to add to his 25 Derby points. Irad Ortiz partners the Bob Baffert-trained Madaket Road (Quality Road) third of five to stable companion Citizen Bull last time in the Grade 3 Robert B Lewis Stakes, following a December maiden win, both at Santa Anita.
Bullard, a son of Gun Runner trained by Michael McCarthy, won his first two starts at Del Mar in his debut and then by almost five lengths in the Bob Hope, beating Madaket Road. He was third behind Baffert’s Barnes in the Group 2 San Vicente.
Coal Battle won his last three starts in stakes races going back to November, with two victories on the Kentucky Derby trail in the Remington Mile and the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn.
Ka Ying Rising stretches out to seven furlongs
HONG Kong hosts two Group 1s this weekend, with the world’s top sprinter Ka Ying Rising the star attraction at Sha Tin, as he stretches out to seven furlongs in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (7.00am).
Bidding for a 10th consecutive win – and his first at this distance – Ka Ying Rising is aiming to land the second leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, after a record-breaking victory in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup in January.
Ka Ying Rising could clinch a HK$5 million bonus if he also added the HK$22 million Chairman’s Sprint Prize on April 27th.
With regular rider Zac Purton injured, Karis Teetan reunites with the star sprinter for the first time since winning the Group 3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap last June,
Ka Ying Rising has notched 10 wins from 12 starts, with only two narrow defeats, all over six furlongs, and twice breaking Sha Tin’s course record.
His eight-strong opposition includes seven-year-old California Spangle, who provided Brenton Avdulla with his first major Hong Kong success by winning the 2024 Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and the Australian is hopeful Tony Cruz’s sprinter can find his best form on Sunday.
Also on the card, Voyage Bubble looks set to extend a dominating season in the HK$13 million Group 1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (8.05am) over 10 furlongs.
Bidding for a fourth Group 1, Voyage Bubble will face nine rivals in a quest for a 10th career victory.
To be ridden by James McDonald, Voyage Bubble will attempt to land the second leg of the Triple Crown Series, after winning the HK$13 million Group 1 Stewards’ Cup on January 19th and chases a HK$10 million Triple Crown bonus.