According to the Oaklawn barn notes, Grade 2 runner-up Untrapped had his first work at Oaklawn Park on Saturday in preparation for the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) on March 18.
The Trappe Shot colt headed to the track about 40 minutes after the track opened for training and proceeded to breeze five furlongs in 1:01. Clockers caught the dark bay in :22.80 for his final quarter and he galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Untrapped is now trying the Oaklawn route to the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1) after kicking off his sophomore campaign at Fair Grounds. He ran second in both the Lecomte Stakes (G3) and Risen Star Stakes (G2) at the New Orleans venue, but shipped to Oaklawn for the Rebel instead of waiting for the Louisiana Derby (G2) on April 1.
Ricardo Santana Jr. has been Untrapped’s regular pilot in four races thus far, but Irad Ortiz Jr. will take over in the saddle for the Rebel, according to owner Mike Langford.
“He’s absolutely the most talented horse I’ve ever had,” Langford said. “He just stays.”
The Rebel is also expected to include American Anthem, Lookin at Lee, Malagacy, Petrov, Royal Mo, Silver Bullion, Silver Dust and Uncontested.
Ron Moquett, who co-owns and trains Petrov, said the Rebel will be a “real, real tough race” and that he almost bypassed the 1 1/16-mile affair in favor of training his charge up to the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) on April 15.
“I think we’re one of the reasons it’s tough,” Moquett said. “But you have Mr. (Bob) Baffert, Mr. (John) Shirreffs, (Todd) Pletcher all coming in, so you’ve got to take extra time to make sure you’re making the right decision.”
