Photo: Oaklawn Park
Always in a Tiz and new rider
Calvin Borel, who won the 5,000th race of
his career Thursday, got a feel for each other in advance of the
$600,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) March 16 with an easy half mile workout in 48
3/5 Saturday. The Tiznow colt will be attempting to redeem himself
after a troubled third in the Jan. 21 Smarty Jones Stakes as the
favorite and a fifth-place finish in the Feb. 18 Southwest Stakes in
which he exited the race with a lung infection.
“Perfect,” said
Carl Alsop, assistant to trainer Dominick Schettino, of the work. “It
was just what we wanted. We’re glad to get Calvin. Robby (Albarado) was
committed elsewhere and we didn’t want to wait until the last minute and
end up in a bad spot. We figured lock up a good one like Calvin and
he’s galloped him and worked him.”
Borel, who is seeking his fourth Kentucky Derby victory, was equally pleased with the workout.
“It was good,” said Borel. “Really good. I’m impressed with him. He had blinkers on and I think it will help keep him focused.”
Also,
working Saturday was
Texas Bling, who finished second in the Smarty
Jones and ninth in the Southwest. He worked five furlongs in 1:01, the
second fastest of 64 at the distance.
An oversubscribed field of
14 is shaping up for the Rebel, the final prep before the $1 million
Arkansas Derby (G1) April 13. Probables for the race include Always in a
Tiz, Big Lute, Capo Bastone, Carve, Delhomme, Den’s Legacy, Hardrock
Eleven, Heaven’s Runaway, Oxbow, Park City, Proud Strike, So Race
Yourglass, Super Ninety Nine, Texas Bling, Treasury Bill and Will Take
Charge.