What is the Rebel Stakes?
The Rebel Stakes is an annual Grade II thoroughbred horse race run at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. 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.
When is the Rebel Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Rebel Stakes will take place on March 1st.
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 Breeders' Cup Classic. These victories highlight the importance of the Rebel Stakes as a stepping stone to greater success.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Coal Battle | Juan P. Vargas | Lonnie Briley | 1:43.10 |
| 2024 | Timberlake | Cristian A. Torres | Brad H. Cox | 1:44.00 |
| 2023 | Confidence Game | James Graham | J. Keith Desormeaux | 1:44.21 |
| 2022 | Un Ojo | Ramon Vazquez | Ricky Courville | 1:45.69 |
| 2021 | Concert Tour | Joel Rosario | Bob Baffert | 1:43.18 |
| 2020 | Nadal | Joel Rosario | Bob Baffert | 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.
