The Factor exits Rebel romp in good order

The Factor has been unbeatable since breaking his maiden in December (Oaklawn Park/Coady Photography)

It was water, water everywhere at Santa Anita Sunday morning as the
heavens unleashed yet another winter storm, but it did not rain on Bob
Baffert’s parade.

The Hall of Fame trainer was basking in the glow of THE FACTOR’s (War
Front) devastating win in Saturday’s Rebel S. (G2) at Oaklawn Park, and
said that all options were open for the colt’s next race.

The Factor thrust himself front and center into the Kentucky Derby
(G1) picture with a wire-to-wire victory in the Rebel, winning the 1
1/16-mile test by 6 1/4 lengths under Martin Garcia. The once-beaten
colt easily drew off in the stretch drive.

“He looked good today, he ate up well and all reports are positive,”
Baffert said by telephone Sunday morning. “I think he comes back to
Santa Anita tomorrow. I don’t know (if he’ll run in the Arkansas Derby
[G1]). Right now, I would say he’s going back to the Arkansas Derby.

“I could leave him at Santa Anita, but I don’t know. I’m just going
to get him back here and look at him and I’ll let him tell me where he
wants to go.”

The $1 million Arkansas Derby is scheduled for April 16 going nine furlongs
back at Oaklawn Park. Santa Anita’s counterpart to that race is the $1 million
Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 9 at the same distance.

Asked if it was a concern with only a three-week gap should he run in
Arkansas Derby and come back in the Run for the Roses on May 7, Baffert said,
“You know what? I don’t know. I just don’t know. I have a lot of options with
him. I could go anywhere. He’s nominated everywhere. You never know where I’m
going to go.”