By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

The $1 Million Rebel (G2), Oaklawn Park, Race 11

The Rebel is the third of four stops on the Oaklawn road to Kentucky Derby 2026 with 105 qualifying points [50-25-15-10-5] that are available to the top five finishers. A field of 10 was drawn but only nine will run with the scratch of Bravaro who opts to run in the Fountain of Youth. (7) Silent Tactic was impressive in the Southwest (G3) when he looked like a winner every step of the way. He was patiently ridden from the back of the full field and went right by others with an easy stretch run. He will not be 12-1 this time but is still listed as the 9-2 third choice on the morning line. (4) Blackout Time showed promise as a 2-year-old with an open-length maiden score in Kentucky and then was second in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) between Ted Noffey and Litmus Test. (2) Litmus Test ships to Arkansas for Bob Baffert who has had so much success in the Derby preps at Oaklawn. Last seen he was winning the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on the Derby trail in December. (3) Class President was a debut winner for Todd Pletcher at Gulfstream in December and stepped up to finish second in the Swale between two Derby contenders that run in the Fountain of Youth. Betting strategy:  Exacta key box: 7 with 2, 3, 4. Trifecta box: 2, 3, 4, 7.