Class President Triumphs in Thrilling Rebel Stakes Victory

Lightly raced Class President got his nose down at the right time Sunday at Oaklawn.

Matching strides with Silent Tactic in the final 100 yards, Class President battled back under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez to post a nose victory in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) before an estimated crowd of 29,000.

Class President was making just his third career start in the Rebel, first around two turns and first outside Florida. Class President passed all three tests for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher and an ownership group that includes the colt’s breeder, WinStar Farm (Kenny Troutt). It was Pletcher’s third victory in the 1 1/16-mile Rebel, which is Oaklawn’s third Kentucky Derby qualifying race.

Silent Tactic finished 5 ¼ lengths ahead of Litmus Test, the 3-2 favorite who was trying to give Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his record-extending ninth Rebel victory. Litmus Test, in his 3-year-old debut, weakened after leading until late on the second turn.

Blackout Time, in his 3-year-old debut, finished fourth, followed, in order, by Soldier N Diplomat, Strategic Risk, Honey’s to Blame, Rancho Santa Fe and Time for Music.

Class President, an 8-1 shot, paid $19, $9 and $5. Silent Tactic paid $4.80 and $3. Litmus Test paid $2.60.

Class President raced just behind Litmus Test through a :46.62 half-mile before engaging the front-runner on the outside approaching the quarter pole. Class President took the lead turning for home, while Silent Tactic reached contention with a four-wide move. Class President, on the inside, held a head lead over Silent Tactic in midstretch. Silent Tactic put his in front with about 50 yards remaining, but Class President rallied to narrowly prevail. The winning time over a fast track was 1:43.21.

Class President was exiting a runner-up finish in the seven-furlong Swale Stakes (G2) Jan. 31 at Gulfstream Park.

The Rebel offered 105 total points (50-25-15-10-5, respectively) to the top five finishers toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby.

Class President, a son of Uncle Mo, raised his career earnings to $593,700 with his second victory.

Oaklawn’s four-race Kentucky Derby series concludes with the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) March 28.

Racing resumes Thursday at Oaklawn. First post is 12:30 p.m. (Central).

Rebel Quotes

Winning Jockey John Velazquez (Class President): “I thought I got it (photo). I was a little fearful because he got a little bit sharp going into the first turn. I let (the reins loose) and he was perfect from then on. I was happy and where I wanted to be. When we came down the stretch and the other horse passed him, he responded.”

Winning Trainer Todd Pletcher via Text (Class President): “Very excited about his effort. We’ve been looking forward to getting him around two turns.”

Winning Co-Owner Elliott Walden, Win Star Farm (Class President): “It’s just really exciting. It’s a homebred, too. The farm’s very appreciative. Todd did a great job. Johnny did a great job. Looked Litmus Test in the eye turning for home and then went on, so this horse is really improving. Super excited.”

Second-Place Jockey Cristian Torres (Silent Tactic): “Tough beat, but that’s the game. He (Class President) beat me running. My horse, I’m happy with his effort. He ran how we were expecting him to run. We had a great trip and it worked out perfectly. We just got beat today.”

Third-Place Trainer Bob Baffert via Phone (Litmus Test): “I talked to (Flavien) Prat and he basically said that he was in the 1 hole, it’s a big horse, and he could probably get him going. He’s never trained like that. He’s a one-run kind of horse. He had to be farther back and make one run. He didn’t get tired. He was just sort of one pace, but you learn about these horses. Unfortunately, I learned in the (Kentucky) Derby about how Point Given wanted to run. It happens. Those were nice horses that beat him. He didn’t run bad, but we were hoping for a win. That’s why they have these races.”

Fourth-Place Jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. (Blackout Time): “He ran good. He ran really, really good for not running in so long. He put himself in a great spot. Turning for home, you could tell he was just going to be a little tired.”