Bob Baffert is dangerous at any track he runs at, but he seems to have a special affinity for Oaklawn, especially in the GII Rebel S. The Hall of Famer has won that event seven times, saddling the likes of Lookin at Lucky (2010), The Factor (2011), Secret Circle (2012), Hoppertunity (2014), Triple Crown hero American Pharoah (2015), Cupid (2016) and Nadal (2020). All of those horses went on to be Grade I winners and stallions and undefeated Concert Tour (Street Sense) looks to add his name to that illustrious list Saturday in Hot Springs.
Tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' off his impressive debut win at Santa Anita Jan. 15, the bay captured the seven-panel GII San Vicente S. next out there Feb. 6. The Gary and Mary West homebred breezed a six-panel bullet in 1:11 2/5 (1/11) in Arcadia Mar. 6. He makes his first attempt at two turns here, but is bred to relish a route of ground.
Caddo River (Hard Spun) demolished the field in his last starts and looks to continue that roll as he steps up to graded company here. Runner-up in his first two attempts going seven panels in New York this fall, the dark bay broke through with a 9 1/2-length graduation going a mile at Churchill Downs Nov. 15. He repeated next out with a front-running 10 1/4-length tour de force in the Smarty Jones S. in Hot Springs Jan. 22.
Runner-up in his off-the-turf unveiling at Churchill Sept 2, Keepmeinmind (Laoban) checked in second to champion Essential Quality (Tapit) next out in Keeneland's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity S. Oct. 3. Completing the trifecta behind that rival in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile there Nov. 6, the bay closed from well back to earn his diploma in Churchill's GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. Nov. 28, after which Spendthrift Farm bought in.
Get Her Number (Dialed In) makes his first start here since capturing the GI American Pharoah S. Sept. 26. Breaking his maiden first out sprinting on the turf at Del Mar Aug. 14, the bay set the pace before tiring to fourth in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf S. there Sept. 7. Switched to the main track at Santa Anita next out, he scored a narrow victory in the American Pharoah.
The post Baffert Seeks Eighth Rebel Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.