Meet The Contenders: 2023 Rebel Stakes
Reincarnate wins the Sham Stakes (Photo by Benoit Photo)
February 23rd, 2023
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Rebel S. (G2), plus a pro, con and rating of their potential. The star rating of 1 to 4 represents opportunity to perform well among the field.
#1 VERIFYING ****
Verifying wins at Oaklawn Park Jan. 14, 2023. (Photo by Coady Photography/Oaklawn Park)
Pro: Grade 1 performer; form is strong from his January allowance victory.
Con: Inside gate can be a problem if he doesn’t start well.
#2 POWERFUL **
Powerful wins the Ed Brown S. at Churchill Downs 2022. (Photo by Coady Photography/Churchill Downs)
Pro: Beat two race rivals when winning Ed Brown S. at Churchill Downs Nov. 26.
Con: Hasn’t raced since Ed Brown S. and may need the run.
#3 RED ROUTE ONE ***
Red Route One trains at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 19, 2023. (Photo by Coady Photography/Oaklawn Park)
Pro: Earned minor awards in three Derby preps; no reason why he can’t do so again.
Con: Can get too far back to be a winning chance. Will need a strong pace.
#4 GUN PILOT ***
Pro: Improving and bred to enjoy the increased distance.
Con: Has five lengths to make up on Verifying from Jan. 14 allowance defeat.
#5 GIANT MISCHIEF ****
Giant Mischief wins at Horseshoe Indianapolis Sept. 22, 2022. (Photo by Coady Photography/Horseshoe Indianapolis)
Pro: Outstanding effort to rally into second in Springboard Mile at last start.
Con: Cannot afford to miss the start again as he did in Springboard Mile.
#6 REINCARNATE ***
Reincarnate and jockey Juan Hernandez, right, win the Grade III $100,000 Sham Stakes Sunday, January 8, 2023 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, CA (Photo by Benoit Photography)
Pro: Improving with every race and beat some good horses in Sham S. (G3).
Con: Having his first start for a new trainer.
#7 CONFIDENCE GAME **
Confidence Game wins at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Pro: Beat subsequent Withers (G3) victor Hit Show at Churchill Downs.
Con: Needs to improve from distant third to Instant Coffee in Lecomte (G3).
#8 TALLADEGA *
Talladega trains at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 19, 2023. (Photo by Coady Photography/Oaklawn Park)
Pro: Best effort to date when winning maiden at Oaklawn Park Jan. 28.
Con: Needs to improve a lot to be capable of beating this caliber of horse.
#9 EVENT DETAIL *
Event Detail wins at Turfway Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Pro: Looked good when winning maiden at Turfway Park Jan. 27.
Con: Best form is on synthetic tracks. Well beaten in only start on dirt.
#10 BOURBON BASH *
Bourbon Bash wins at Saratoga, Aug. 13, 2022. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
Pro: Tries hard and has run two decent races at Oaklawn Park.
Con: Has failed to win a stakes race despite plenty of opportunities.
#11 FROSTED DEPARTURE **
Frosted Departure wins the Renaissance S. at Oaklawn Park Dec. 31, 2022. (Photo by Coady Photography/Oakalwn Park)
Pro: Won Renaissance S. and third in Southwest S. (G3) on this track.
Con: Has yet to show he’s capable of winning at this level.
