GAME WINNER AND IMPROBABLE SHIPS FOR THE REBEL

Bob Baffert sent out two of his brightest stars to work March 10 at Los Alamitos Race Course. The Hall of Fame trainer relocated the horses to the Southern California track following the closure of Santa Anita Park to assess track conditions. 

WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and Starlight Racing's Improbable worked a five-furlong solo drill in :59 1/5 with Drayden Van Dyke up. The workout was the 11th for the 3-year-old City Zip colt since he closed his freshman season with a win in the Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity (G1).

Congrats
"Improbable went out there, he left the half-mile pole, and we just let him run a little bit there," Baffert said. "I want to sharpen him up. He couldn't have looked any better today. He was all full of himself, and he went around there like it was nothing. The Los Alamitos track was just perfect. He bounced over it.

"He loves this place. His best race has been here, and he got over it really well. I couldn't be happier. He looked strong the whole way, and he didn't want to pull up, he was really enjoying himself. That's what you want to see. You want to see horses that look healthy and are enjoying themselves and what they're doing."

Baffert also sent out Gary and Mary West's champion 2-year-old colt Game Winner, who worked in company with Dr. Dorr. Undefeated in four starts, the son of Candy Ride  worked five furlongs in :59 4/5. 

"I always work Game Winner with company because it keeps him focused," Baffert said. "If he's by himself, he loses focus. He's a different kind of horse. He likes competition and to go with somebody. He just cruised. He actually went about three-quarters (of a mile) in 1:13, but on the bridle. We didn't let him do too much. One thing about him is that he can run all day. I'm not worried about him. He's ready to roll."

Both colts are pointed toward a start in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) March 16 at Oaklawn Park, the final prep race for the April 13 Arkansas Derby (G1). With racing suspended at Santa Anita, Oaklawn Park announced last week that the Rebel, a key points race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, could be split into two divisions if 20 or more horses are entered. 

"After what's gone on these last few days, it's been very stressful, but they look great and both of them will go to Oaklawn Park," Baffert said. "We're really hoping for a split because I'd hate to run these two together."

Carpe Diem
If the Rebel should split, each division would carry a purse of $750,000 as Oaklawn said the track is prepared to commit an additional $500,000. Each division would offer 63.75 total qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). 

BLOODHORSE: Oaklawn to Split Rebel Stakes if Enough Interest

Other 3-year-olds working from the Baffert camp Sunday were Michael Lund Petersen's grade 3 winner Mucho Gusto, who completed five furlongs in :57 4/5, and Starlet Stakes (G1) winner Chasing Yesterday. Owned by Summer Wind Equine, the half sister to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah  worked five furlongs in :57 flat. 

"Mucho Gusto also worked very well, and he will go to Sunland Park," Baffert said. "I also worked Chasing Yesterday. I'm not sure where she's going to run yet. We're still trying to figure things out for them, but at least this week we've got that covered." 

Karl Watson, Michael Pegram, and Paul Weitman's 4-year-old McKinzie worked six furlongs under Joe Talamo for Baffert in 1:11 4/5. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum's 5-year-old Dabster was clocked at 1:10 3/5 over the same distance. 

Baffert said no plans had been set for a next start for McKinzie, but that Dabster would definitely be headed abroad to compete in the Dubai World Cup festival this month. 

"Everything went really smooth, and Los Alamitos couldn't have been kinder," Baffert said. "They opened their doors to us, and the track was in pristine shape. The horses were loving it."