Tanzanite Cat, Dunkin Bend under consideration for Rebel

Tanzanite Cat could attempt to rebound in the Rebel from his subpar Southwest fifth (Oaklawn Park/Coady Photography)

A few days removed from Monday’s Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, trainer Cody Autrey was happy with how his two horses came out of the
Grade 3 race but is charting different courses for his Smarty Jones winner Tanzanite Cat and opening
weekend maiden winner Paganol.

Tanzanite Cat finished fifth after setting the
early pace in the 1 1/16-mile Southwest, while Paganol ran 10th of 12.

“Both of them came back really good, but I think Paganol
just needs some more races and mature,” Autrey explained. “But Tanzanite Cat might go
in the Rebel or rhe Northern Spur. We’ve got our options open. We might see
Tanzanite Cat in the Rebel, but not Paganol. We’ll let him grow up a little bit,
maybe give him 30-40 days.”

Dunkin Bend has the Rebel, as well as a couple of other options, on his radar (Bill Denver/Equi-Photo)

Trainer Brad Cox had been hoping Grade 3 winner
Dunkin Bend, who joined his barn at the first of the year, would start in last
Monday’s Southwest, but when weather interrupted his training schedule
he elected to change plans. Instead of racing Monday, the gray son of Dunkirk worked a
half-mile in :50 2/5 last Sunday.

“It was a good work,” Cox said. “We’re keeping our options open now. There’s the
($100,000) Gazebo (at six furlongs on) March 22, an allowance race March 2 or maybe the Rebel.

“He’s a nice horse. Is he a Triple Crown horse? He’ll have to prove that, but
there’s no doubt he has talent and ability. He’s done everything right and is
training forwardly.”

Cox did say that he is also considering Sheltowee’s Boy, an
impressive allowance winner on the Southwest undercard, for the
Rebel as well.