HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — Secret Circle burst from the 12-horse field to win the Rebel Stakes on Saturday and give trainer Bob Baffert his third straight victory in the Grade II race at Oaklawn Park.
Secret Circle, winner of the $150,000 Southwest Stakes last month, fended off Optimizer and Scatman, who was the second finisher in the Southwest.
The 1 1-16-mile Rebel is a $500,000 prep for the $1 million Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on April 14.
Secret Circle, who finished in 1.14.2 with Rafael Bejarano aboard, paid $4, $3.20 and $2.80. Optimizer, ridden by Jon Court, paid $15.60 and $8.80, and Scatman paid $4.60.
Secret circle is owned by Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram and Paul Weitman.
