Grade 2, $1 million Rebel Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Oaklawn Park, Feb. 26, 2022 (50 Derby qualifying points for first, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth) Winner: Un Ojo, by Laoban Trainer: Ricky Courville Jockey: Ramon Vasquez Owner: Cypress Creek Equine Beyer Speed Figure: 84 UN OJO, who ran well when second in what appeared to be a weak Withers, scored a 75-1 upset here in another Derby prep that grades out below average, with a Beyer Speed Figure more reflective of a first-level allowance. The race came up much slower – nearly a full second – than the Honeybee for 3-year-old fillies earlier on the card at the same distance. And with the first four finishers in this race all within two lengths of one another, that’s another indication this was a below-average event compared to recent preps like the Holy Bull and Risen Star. Regardless, Un Ojo now has a guaranteed spot in the Derby on May 7 owing to the 50 points he earned here. He will need to make significant progress in the next two months, though, to be considered a top Derby contender. His Beyer Figure in this race was a career best. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2022: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more In this race, Un Ojo broke well and saved ground into the first turn in fourth while just inside of CHASING TIME. He inched closer to pacesetting KAVOD heading into the far turn, got through inside to be part of a four-way battle for the lead a quarter-mile out, dropped back a bit in upper stretch, but came on again in the closing yards to prevail, but was it a function of him closing or the leaders hitting a wall? I’m more inclined to believe the latter. Full credit to Vasquez for saving every inch of ground. ETHEREAL ROAD, who finished second, was hampered by a wide draw and raced four paths wide while midpack around the first turn while steadily advancing to be closer turning into the backside. He never could get over and commenced a rally from the four path on the far turn, was the widest of a four-horse battle for the lead a quarter-mile out, had a narrow lead at midstretch, couldn’t hold safe the winner, and barely held second. BARBER ROAD, who was third, continues to bang out solid performances. He was a good second in his prior start, the Southwest, and acquitted himself well here, though it’s fair to wonder, as with all in this field, if we’re grading on a curve. He raced toward the rear of the field into the first turn while cleverly being guided toward the inside to save ground, then advanced during the slowly run middle part of the race to draft behind Un Ojo nearing the far turn. He saved ground around the turn and into the lane, had a slightly erratic course in upper stretch, had to wait briefly at midstretch for a seam, then finished fastest of all between rivals in the closing yards. Kavod, who was fourth, was sent along from his inside draw to make the lead into the first turn while racing slightly off the rail. He continued to lead into and around the far turn, was in the two path among four battling for the lead a quarter-mile out, was slightly late to change leads coming off the bend, battled furiously with Ethereal Road for supremacy at midstretch, weakened late, then checked between rivals while getting outrun right at the wire. He rated kindly, set fractions sympathetic to his cause, just couldn’t stay the trip, similar to his performance in the Southwest, only with a more favorable pace this time. :: For the first time ever, our premium past performances are free! Get free Formulator now! Chasing Time, who was fifth, had good speed leaving the gate and advanced to third into the first turn, behind only Kavod and NEWGRANGE. He raced just outside Un Ojo while following Kavod down the backstretch, began to be outrun three furlongs out, swung out to the three path in the lane, and finished evenly while never threatening the top four. Newgrange, who finished sixth, broke well and went into the first turn just behind and outside of Kavod. He stayed in that ideal stalking spot down the backstretch, raced in the three path while challenging for the lead, had to be urged midway on the turn to hold his position, yielded between Kavod and Ethereal Road coming into the stretch, and retreated after a pretty sweet trip. DASH ATTACK, who was seventh, had to have a shoe repair in the paddock before the race. He raced three paths wide while toward the rear of the field around the first turn after starting from the outside post, then gradually angled toward the rail heading to the far turn. He saved ground for much of the turn, was given numerous left-handed smacks of the whip in upper stretch, but never really punched it in. The pace didn’t help, and he had some traffic in upper stretch, but it’s fair to wonder, as after the Southwest too, if he needs an off track to beat horses of this caliber. BEN DIESEL, who was eighth, raced midpack while between rivals around the first turn, made a mild bid early on the far turn to get closer while four paths wide, but never responded to any encouragement while showing little interest throughout. STELLAR TAP, who was ninth, saved ground around the first turn while following Un Ojo while in a bit of traffic, was angled to the three path early on the far turn to try and commence a rally, but had nothing to offer. His best race was his first race, back in August, when he became trainer Steve Asmussen’s record-setting career winner. He has not made progress since. CAIRAMA, who was 10th, broke a couple lengths behind his rivals, trailed into the first turn while saving ground, still trailed into the far turn while still saving ground, swung out in upper stretch, but never got close. As noted after the Southwest, I think he’ll be best as a late-running, one-turn horse. TEXAS RED HOT, who finished last of 11, raced midpack in the two path around the first turn, then was outrun heading down the backstretch and was in front of only Cairama heading into the far turn. He drifted out while racing well off the rail on the far turn, was pretty much being eased by the quarter pole, but was allowed to canter to the wire and finish the race, one in which he was no factor throughout.