Two projected starters for the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park worked over a fast-rated surface March 5 in advance of the March 19 race. Suddenbreakingnews and American Dubai, the first and third finishers, respectively, in the $500,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) March 15 at Oaklawn, breezed five furlongs within minutes of each other immediately following the renovation break.
Both horses were credited with 1:00 3/5.
Suddenbreakingnews, under regular rider Luis Quinonez, galloped out six furlongs in 1:13 and seven furlongs in 1:29.
"We asked him to do a little bit more and he was willing," said trainer Donnie Von Hemel. "Louie said he stretched out nicely down the lane and still had some in the tank."
Saturday's work was the second for Suddenbreakingnews since his last-to-first victory in the Southwest, the second major local prep for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) April 16. Von Hemel said he will "most likely" work Suddenbreakingnews again before the 1 1/16-mile Rebel, which is expected to attract a large field.
"We're still a couple of weeks out, so we'd be looking to do something else," Von Hemel said.
Chris Landeros breezed American Dubai, who galloped out six furlongs in 1:13 1/5.
"The work was great," said trainer Rodney Richards. "Really pleased."
Richards said Landeros will "most likely" ride American Dubai for the first time in the Rebel.
Another projected Rebel starter, multiple stakes winner Discreetness, worked between the third and fourth races March 4 at Oaklawn. Under regular rider Jon Court, he covered five furlongs in :59 4/5. The Smarty Jones Stakes winner emerged from his work in good shape, trainer Jinks Fires of Hot Springs said Saturday morning.
In other Rebel Stakes news, Kendrick Carmouche will ride Vorticity in the March 19 race, trainer Chuck Lawrence said Friday afternoon. Carmouche entered Saturday the third-leading rider at the Aqueduct Racetrack's winter/spring meet with 39 victories. The leading rider, Irad Ortiz Jr., is scheduled to ride Whitmore in the Rebel.
Vorticity finished second in both starts this year—the $200,000 Jerome Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 2 at Aqueduct and the $250,000 Withers Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 30 at the New York track as well. The son of Distorted Humor won the $100,000 Marylander Stakes Dec. 5 at Laurel Park.
In non-3-year-old division news, three horses pointing for the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (gr. II) for older fillies and mares March 19 worked before the renovation break Saturday morning at Oaklawn.
Call Pat worked five furlongs in 1:01 1/5 for trainer Brad Cox. Call Pat won the $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 14 at Oaklawn in her last start.
Theogony worked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 for trainer Mark Casse. Theogony ran second in the $100,000 Pippin Stakes Jan. 17 at Oaklawn.
High Dollar Woman, exiting an unplaced finish in the $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes Feb. 20 at Oaklawn, recorded a half-mile bullet (:47) for trainer Steve Hobby.
Also pointing for the Azeri is champion Untapable, who worked five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 March 1 for trainer Steve Asmussen. The defending Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) winner finished second in last year's Azeri, the final major local prep for the $600,000 race April 15.
Asmussen said Untapable will breeze March 7 at Oaklawn, weather permitting.
