# Rebel Stakes

The Rebel Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses held over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles run on dirt each February at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas. As of 2024, it offers a purse of $1,250,000. It is the second leg of Oaklawn's three-year-old stakes program, run after the Southwest Stakes and before the Arkansas Derby; it is also part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

## History

The race was first run on March 18, 1961, as the Rebel Handicap over a distance of one mile and seventy yards. It was won by Mrs. Vera E. Smith's Bass Clef in 1:422⁄5. The victory was Bass Clef's fifth in a row, a run that included the Louisiana Derby. Later in the spring, Bass Clef would finish third to Carry Back in the Kentucky Derby.
The event immediately became a preparatory event for the Arkansas Derby. The 1965 winner Swift Ruler won both races.
In 1984, the conditions of the event were changed from handicap to stakes allowance and the event was renamed the Rebel Stakes. That same year the distance was increased to one and one-sixteenth miles.
In 1990, the event was upgraded to Grade III. It was downgraded to Listed for the 2003 and 2004 runnings. It was upgraded in 2008 to a Grade II by the American Graded Stakes Committee.
Since 2013, the event has been part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
In 2019, the event was split into two divisions after Oaklawn president Louis Cella presented a sporting gesture after the San Felipe Stakes was abandoned in California. Road to Kentucky Derby qualification points for the first four finishers were adjusted.

## Records

Time record:
* 1+1⁄16 miles – 1:41.00 Vanlandingham (1984)
* 1 mile and 70 yards – 1:40.80 Betemight (1967)
Margins:
* 7 lengths – Etony (1968), Manastash Ridge (1989)
Most wins by an owner:
* 5 - Loblolly Stable (1980, 1984, 1987, 1992, 1993)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 5 - Mike E. Smith (1986, 1993, 1999, 2014, 2019)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 8 - Bob Baffert (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021)
Rebel Stakes – Arkansas Derby double:
* Swift Ruler (1965), Traffic Mark (1969), Promised City (1975), Temperence Hill (1980), Bold Ego (1981), Sunny's Halo (1983), Demons Begone (1987), Pine Bluff (1992), Victory Gallop (1998), Smarty Jones (2004), Lawyer Ron (2006), Curlin (2007), American Pharoah (2015), Omaha Beach (2019)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
| Rebel Stakes ||||||||||
| 2025 | Coal Battle | Juan P. Vargas | Lonnie Briley | Norman Stables LLC | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.01 | $1,250,000 | II | |
| 2024 | Timberlake | Cristian A. Torres | Brad H. Cox | WinStar Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.00 | $1,250,000 | II | |
| 2023 | Confidence Game | James Graham | J. Keith Desormeaux | Don't Tell My Wife Stables | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.21 | $1,000,000 | II | |
| 2022 | Un Ojo | Ramon Vazquez | Ricky Courville | Cypress Creek Equine | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.69 | $1,000,000 | II | |
| 2021 | Concert Tour | Joel Rosario | Bob Baffert | Gary & Mary West | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.18 | $1,000,000 | II | |
| 2020 | Nadal | Joel Rosario | Bob Baffert | George Bolton, Arthur Hoyeau, Barry Lipman & Mark Mathiesen | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.97 | $1,000,000 | II | |
| 2019 | Long Range Toddy | Jon Court | Steven M. Asmussen | Willis Horton Racing | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.49 | $750,000 | II | Division 1 |
| 2019 | Omaha Beach | Mike E. Smith | Richard E. Mandella | Fox Hill Farms (Rick Porter) | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.42 | $750,000 | II | Division 2 |
| 2018 | Magnum Moon | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher | Lawana L. & Robert E. Low | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.68 | $900,000 | II | |
| 2017 | Malagacy | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | Sumaya U.S. Stable (Oussama Aboughazale) | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.00 | $900,000 | II | |
| 2016 | Cupid | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.84 | $900,000 | II | |
| 2015 | American Pharoah | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | Zayat Stables | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.78 | $750,000 | II | |
| 2014 | Hoppertunity | Mike E. Smith | Bob Baffert | Karl Watson, Michael Pegram, Paul Weitman | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.90 | $600,000 | II | |
| 2013 | Will Take Charge | Jon Court | D. Wayne Lukas | Willis D. Horton | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.18 | $600,000 | II | |
| 2012 | Secret Circle | Rafael Bejarano | Bob Baffert | Karl Watson, Michael Pegram, Paul Weitman | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.55 | $500,000 | II | |
| 2011 | The Factor | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Fog City Stable & George Bolton | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.19 | $300,000 | II | |
| 2010 | Lookin at Lucky | Garrett K. Gomez | Bob Baffert | Karl Watson, Michael Pegram, Paul Weitman | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.06 | $300,000 | II | |
| 2009 | Win Willy | M. Clifton Berry | McLean Robertson | Jer-Mar Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.41 | $300,000 | II | |
| 2008 | Sierra Sunset | Christopher A. Emigh | Jeffrey L. Bonde | Philip Lebherz, Al Mariani, George Schmitt & Carol Wirth Trust | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.88 | $300,000 | II | |
| 2007 | Curlin | Robby Albarado | Steven M. Asmussen | Padua Stables, Stonestreet Stables, George Bolton & Midnight Cry Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.70 | $300,000 | III | |
| 2006 | Lawyer Ron | John McKee | Robert E. Holthus | Estate of James T. Hines, Jr. | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.09 | $300,000 | III | |
| 2005 | Greater Good | John McKee | Robert E. Holthus | Lewis G. Lakin | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.92 | $250,000 | III | |
| 2004 | Smarty Jones | Stewart Elliott | John C. Servis | Someday Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.07 | $200,000 | Listed | |
| 2003 | Crowned King | Chandra R. Rennie | Billy C. McKeever Jr. | McKeever Racing Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.00 | $125,000 | Listed | |
| 2002 | Windward Passage | Donnie Meche | Steven M. Asmussen | Team Valor | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.06 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2001 | Crafty Shaw | Joe M. Johnson | Peter M. Vestal | Lucky Seven Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.82 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2000 | Snuck In | Cash Asmussen | Steven M. Asmussen | Ackerley Brothers Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.99 | $100,000 | III | |
| 1999 | Etbauer | Mike E. Smith | Steve Wren | Kaaren J. & Hays M. Biggs | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.02 | $125,000 | III | |
| 1998 | Victory Gallop | Eibar Coa | W. Elliott Walden | Prestonwood Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.72 | $125,000 | III | |
| 1997 | Phantom On Tour | Larry Melancon | Lynn S. Whiting | W. Cal Partee | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.93 | $125,000 | III | |
| 1996 | Ide | Craig Perret | Peter M. Vestal | Willmott Stables | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.10 | $100,000 | III | |
| 1995 | Mystery Storm | Craig Perret | Larry Robideaux Jr. | David Beard | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.41 | $125,000 | III | |
| 1994 | Judge T C | Joe M. Johnson | Gary G. Hartlage | Bea & Robert H. Roberts | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.14 | $125,000 | III | |
| 1993 | § Dalhart | Mike E. Smith | Thomas K. Bohannan | Loblolly Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.31 | $125,000 | III | |
| 1992 | Pine Bluff | Jerry D. Bailey | Thomas K. Bohannan | Loblolly Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.83 | $125,000 | III | |
| 1991 | Quintana | David Guillory | David C. Cross Jr. | Gary M. Garber | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.70 | $100,000 | III | |
| 1990 | Nuits St. Georges | James Edward Bruin | Douglas R. Peterson | Photini Jaffe | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:46.00 | $100,000 | III | |
| 1989 | Manastash Ridge | Antonio Lopez Castanon | D. Wayne Lukas | Tayhill Stables | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.00 | $100,000 | | |
| 1988 | Sea Trek | Patrick A. Johnson | Gary G. Hartlage | Diana Stables | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.60 | $122,500 | | |
| 1987 | Demons Begone | Pat Day | Philip M. Hauswald | Loblolly Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.40 | $147,700 | | |
| 1986 | Rare Brick | Mike E. Smith | A. J. Foyt III | Pin Oak Stable & A. J. Foyt | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.20 | $132,600 | | |
| 1985 | Clever Allemont | Pat Day | Lynn S. Whiting | W. Cal Partee | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.40 | $163,500 | | |
| 1984 | Vanlandingham | Pat Day | Claude R. McGaughey III | Loblolly Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.00 | $167,900 | | |
| Rebel Handicap ||||||||||
| 1983 | Sunny's Halo (CAN) | Larry Snyder | David C. Cross Jr. | David J. Foster | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:42.20 | $114,750 | | |
| 1982 | Bold Style | Larry Snyder | Jack Van Berg | Len Mayer | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:44.40 | $85,700 | | |
| 1981 | Bold Ego | John Lively | Dennis Werre | Double B Ranch & Joseph Kidd | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:41.20 | $59,300 | | |
| 1980 | Temperence Hill | Darrell Haire | Joseph B. Cantey | Loblolly Stable | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:44.40 | $64,050 | | |
| 1979 | Lucy's Axe | Eddie Maple | Joseph B. Cantey | Mrs. Lucy H. Close | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:42.80 | $59,850 | | |
| 1978 | Chop Chop Tomahawk | Larry Snyder | Earl R. Jackson | Daybreak Farm | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:42.40 | $60,250 | | |
| 1977 | § United Holme | Jorge Enrique Tejeira | Robert E. Holthus | Wanda Lofton & Dixie Holthus | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:44.20 | $61,350 | | |
| 1976 | ƒ Riverside Sam | Garth Patterson | Earl R. Jackson | Daybreak Farm | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:41.60 | $62,250 | | |
| 1975 | Promised City | David E. Whited | Larry Spraker | Big I Farm | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:44.40 | $50,000 | | |
| 1974 | § Perfect Aim | Geary E. Louviere | Harold Tinker | W. Cal Partee | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:44.40 | $50,000 | | |
| 1973 | Game Lad | Al Herrera | David R. Vance | Dan Lasater | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:41.20 | $30,000 | | |
| 1972 | Our Trade Winds | Lonnie Ray | Robert E. Holthus | Robert Mitchell | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:42.60 | $25,000 | | |
| 1971 | Compte Deux | Don Brumfield | Ike K. Mourar | Robert E. Lehmann | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:44.40 | $25,000 | | |
| 1970 | Admiral's Shield | Stanley A. Spencer | Harvey L. Vanier | W. C. Robinson Jr. | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:44.00 | $20,000 | | |
| 1969 | Traffic Mark | Phil I. Grimm | Ronnie G. Warren | Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Roberts | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:42.80 | $15,000 | | |
| 1968 | Etony | John Pagano | Harry Holcomb | G. B. Newbill | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:43.80 | $12,500 | | |
| 1967 | Betemight (CAN) | Henry Moreno | Douglas M. Davis, Jr. | George M. Holtsinger & Doug Davis Stables | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:40.80 | $10,000 | | |
| 1966 | Timely Move | Marty Freed | Charlie Vinci | Cantor & Hill | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:42.20 | $10,000 | | |
| 1965 | Swift Ruler | Larry Spraker | Gin L. Collins | Earl Allen | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:44.20 | $10,000 | | |
| 1964 | † Spike Nail | Ronnie J. Campbell | Robert E. Holthus | C. O. Viar | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:43.00 | $10,000 | | |
| 1963 | Devil It Is | Robert Gallimore | Gino T. Alberico | Bar-Al-Mar Stable | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:45.00 | $10,000 | | |
| 1962 | Treasury Note | Wayne Chambers | Henry Forrest | J. C. Pollard | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:42.40 | $10,000 | | |
| 1961 | Bass Clef | Ronald Baldwin | Anthony W. Rupelt | Mrs. Vera E. Smith | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:42.40 | $10,000 | | |
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
ƒ Ran as the field entry
† Floral Shop was first past the post but was disqualified for interference and placed second. Spike Nail was declared the winner.