Reylu Gutierrez will ride Barber Road in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Ark., on Feb. 26, trainer John Ortiz said Saturday morning. The 1 1/16-mile Rebel is Oaklawn's third of four Kentucky Derby points races.
Gutierrez had ridden Barber Road in four of his first five career starts, including a runner-up finish in Oaklawn's first Kentucky Derby points race, the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at one mile Jan. 1. Eight-time Oaklawn riding champion Ricardo Santana rode Barber Road in his last start, the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) Jan. 29, because Gutierrez was at Gulfstream Park to ride Chess Chief in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1). Barber Road finished second in the Southwest, which was Oaklawn's second Kentucky Derby points race.
Although Gutierrez is based at Fair Grounds, he's already ridden six winners at the 2021-2022 Oaklawn meeting, including four for Ortiz in high end allowance or maiden special weights events.
“Reylu Gutierrez's got the mount back,” said Ortiz, who trains Barber Road for former Walmart executive William Simon (WSS Racing). “He is committed all the way through the Kentucky Derby. We really appreciate Ricardo's ride last time out, but we want to keep it loyal and committed to the owner. I think it's just better for the horse. Reylu's won with him twice.”
Barber Road returned to the work tab Feb. 8, covering five furlongs in 1:02.80. Barber Road breezed with stablemate Silent Disco.
“Just sat off the horse,” Ortiz said, describing Barber Road's work. “I think the other horse is doing pretty good right now and was more of a target. They both came home pretty strong and I was very happy to see Barber Road willing and strong and sharp as usual.”
Ortiz said Barber Road is scheduled to work five furlongs Tuesday morning and return with an easy half-mile leg “stretcher” Feb. 21, the day post positions are drawn for the Rebel. The Rebel will offer 85 points to the top four finishers (50-20-10-5, respectively) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. Barber Road ranks 16th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard – the race is limited to 20 starters – with eight points after collecting four in the Smarty Jones and Southwest, according to Churchill Downs.
In addition to Barber Road, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said he will “definitely have something” for the Rebel, a race he's won a record eight times. Baffert won the 1 1/16-mile Southwest with unbeaten Newgrange, who beat Barber Road by 1 ½ lengths. Newgrange returned to the work tab Saturday at Santa Anita, covering 3 furlongs in :37.60.
Other potential Rebel starters include Smarty Jones winner Dash Attack for trainer Kenny McPeek, Southwest third Ben Diesel for trainer Dallas Stewart and Chasing Time, a 7 ¾-length first-level allowance winner at 1 mile Jan. 14 for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.
The Rebel is the final major local prep for the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles April 2.
The post Reylu Gutierrez To Regain Mount On Barber Road For Oaklawn’s Rebel appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
