Higher Power works toward Rebel Stakes

Higher Power returned to the track Monday after two workouts last week in advance of the Grade 2 $900,000 Rebel Stakes for 3-year-olds Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

Higher Power worked a half-mile in :50.20 Monday morning on a fast track at Oaklawn. Higher Power breezed with stablemates Good Creation and C P Quality on Thursday and emerged from the move in good order, said trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel.

“Just another good work, I thought,” Von Hemel said. “Galloped out real strong again and recovered quickly. Everything’s looking good for him so far.”

Higher Power has won 2 of 3 career starts, including a Jan. 13 first-level allowance/optional claimer at a mile.

The son of Medaglia d’Oro, unbeaten in two starts around two turns, was under consideration for the Grade 3 $500,000 Southwest Stakes on Feb. 19 before missing approximately a week of training because of a minor illness, Von Hemel said.

Higher Power races for his breeder, Josephine Abercrombie’s Pin Oak Stable. Von Hemel and Pin

Oak alsoraced millionaire and 2012 Oaklawn Handicap winner Alternation, a half-brother to a Higher Power.

Other locally based horses pointing to the Rebel include Sporting Chance, Combatant, Zing Zang and Title Ready. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is expected to run Southern California-based Solomini in the race as well.

Nominations for the Rebel, the Grade 2 $350,000 Azeri Stakes for older fillies and mares and $300,000 Essex Handicap for older colts and geldings closed on Friday. All three races are 1 1/16 miles.

Post positions are to be drawn today.