The Mar. 16 GII Rebel S., a key GI Kentucky Derby prep at Oaklawn Park, may be split into two divisions, the Oaklawn Jockey Club announced in the wake of the suspension of racing at Santa Anita. If the Rebel is split, each division will carry a purse of $750,000, and each division will offer 63.75 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby.
In a statement released Wednesday, Oaklawn president Louis Cella said he hopes the situation in California resolves itself quickly, precluding any reason to split the Rebel. “But if that is not the case, Oaklawn stands ready to help horsemen around the country,” Cella said.
He added, “From a financial standpoint, splitting the race makes no sense whatsoever. If we split it, it will be strictly on the basis of sportsmanship and what is best for the sport and best for top 3-year-olds trying to get to Kentucky.”
Cella said both divisions of the Rebel would need to attract a minimum of 10 runners in order to justify the split.
The deadline for nominating to the Rebel was to have been midnight, Mar. 7, but has now been pushed back to midnight, Mar. 8, according to racing secretary Pat Pope.
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