Meet the Contenders: 2025 Rebel Stakes
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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.
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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 donβt stick out and will have to work out a trip from inside draw.
Coal Battle shows new dimension to romp in Smarty Jones. @GallantFox1930 recaps the race. π https://t.co/4DPfChD2kg
— TwinSpires Racing π (@TwinSpires) January 5, 2025
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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.
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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.
Sandman returned to the Winner's Circle on Friday @OaklawnRacing, when the 2yo colt looked to get back on the Derby trail!
— TwinSpires Racing π (@TwinSpires) December 17, 2024
That performance earned him TS Stable Alerts Horse of the Week and you can add him to your stable below!#NeverMissAWinner β€΅οΈ https://t.co/NzkX4A2KVT pic.twitter.com/nL5MMhPCUt
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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.
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Madaket Road wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#5 Madaket Road ****
Pro: Battle tested against some of SoCalβs best so far; barn has won this eight times.
Con: Pedigree suggests elongated sprints might prove more his forte.
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TwinSpires
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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.
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Innovator wins at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
A battle to the wire and Innovator refused to lose in R3 at Oaklawn Park! πͺ
— TwinSpires Racing π (@TwinSpires) December 29, 2024
Tyler Bacon was in the irons for D. Wayne Lukas!
π₯ TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/fbiPIOnxc9
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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.
Smoken Wicked was hot in the colts/gelding division of the Louisiana Futurity for trainer @dallasstewart3! π₯@hernandez_colby was aboard, who is 5 for 7 this weekend at @fairgroundsnola!
— TwinSpires Racing π (@TwinSpires) December 29, 2024
π₯ TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/6M2MBvghvh
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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.
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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.
Speed King lived up to his name to take the Southwest Stakes @OaklawnRacing on Saturday and add 20 points on the Road to the @KentuckyDerby!
— TwinSpires Racing π (@TwinSpires) January 28, 2025
He is our TS Stable Alerts Horse of the Week and you can add him to your stable below!
Never Miss A Winner β€΅οΈ https://t.co/8NCofHi6tk pic.twitter.com/liEq0P2N50
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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.
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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.
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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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