What are Rebel Stakes?
The Rebel Stakes is an annual Grade II Thoroughbred horse race run at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is typically held in mid-March, making it a key prep race for the Kentucky Derby.
When do the Rebel Stakes take place in 2025?
The Rebel Stakes will take place on February 22nd. This 1 1/16-mile race on dirt offers a hefty purse of $1.25 million and attracts top 3-year-olds vying for Derby points.
Rebel Stakes Winners
The Rebel Stakes has seen several prominent winners over its history. Smarty Jones, the 2004 Rebel winner, went on to win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, earning a spot among racing legends. In 2015, American Pharoah won the Rebel Stakes, marking the beginning of his journey toward becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years.
Curlin, the 2007 Rebel winner, later became a Hall of Famer, known for winning the Preakness Stakes and the Breeder's Cup Classic . These victories highlight the importance of the Rebel Stakes as a stepping stone to greater success.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2024 | Timberlake | Cristian A. Torres | Brad H. Cox | WinStar Farm | 1:44.00 |
| 2023 | Confidence Game | James Graham | J. Keith Desormeaux | Don't Tell My Wife Stables | 1:44.21 |
| 2022 | Un Ojo | Ramon Vazquez | Ricky Courville | Cypress Creek Equine | 1:45.69 |
| 2021 | Concert Tour | Joel Rosario | Bob Baffert | Gary & Mary West | 1:43.18 |
| 2020 | Nadal | Joel Rosario | Bob Baffert | George Bolton, Arthur Hoyeau, Barry Lipman & Mark Mathiesen | 1:44.97 |
The Rebel Stakes offers 50 points to the winner toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby, making it one of the most critical prep races. The top finishers often go on to participate in the Arkansas Derby, further solidifying their place in the Derby lineup. Its timing in March gives trainers a chance to assess their horses before the final Derby prep races.
