Oaklawn report
Two major players for Saturday’s $500,000 Grade II Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs will apparently bypass the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Derby prep race. Castaway (above), winner of the first division of the $250,000 Grade III Southwest Stakes on Feb. 20, and unbeaten Gemologist will not race in Hot Springs.
HOT SPRINGS — Two major players for Saturday’s $500,000 Grade II Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park will apparently bypass the 1 1-16mile Kentucky Derby prep race.
Unbeaten Gemologist was entered in an allowance race Friday at Gulfstream Park near Miami.
Gemologist, training this winter in Florida, was scheduled to be flown to Arkansas on Wednesday.
But Winstar Farm, the colt’s owner, said in a Twitter post early Sunday afternoon that Gemologist will remain in Florida because no plane would be available for a return trip, meaning he would have to van back.
Gemologist could also be facing only four rivals in the allowance race, as opposed to possibly 13 in the Rebel.
Castaway, winner of the first division of the $250,000 Grade III Southwest Stakes on Feb. 20, will remain on the West Coast, according to Daily Racing Form, and point for another race, instead of joining stablemate Secret Circle on a flight arriving Thursday.
Secret Circle won the second division of the Southwest.
Secret Circle and Castaway are both trained by Bob Baffert.
Saturday’s card also includes the $150,000 Grade III Azeri Stakes for older fillies and mares at 1 1-16 miles.
Probable Azeri favorite Absinthe Minded posted a half-mile bullet in :48 on Sunday morning for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.