Was the Rebel Stakes a strong Kentucky Derby 2012 prep? Secret Circle
won the race as the favorite for Bob Baffert but the final time was
moderate (92 BSF) and the talented son of Eddington looked tired in the
lane.
I have always been fond of Secret Circle. He has
been part of my Derby Top 10 list since last September but he always
seemed suspect in the stamina department and a mile and a sixteenth
appears to be his limit at this stage.
Optimizer
is getting some Derby buzz for Wayne Lukas after finishing well for the
place in the Rebel but I do not consider him a viable threat on the
first Saturday in May. He has lost seven straight and is winless in five
conventional dirt starts. He is better on turf/synthetic but won’t see
preferred footing for quite some time.
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