The Factor obviously can run two turns as he proved Saturday with a romp in the 1 1/16 miles Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park that stamped him as a very legitimate Kentucky Derby contender.
With Martin Garcia riding for trainer Bob Baffert, The Factor returned $4.80 as the favorite after finishing 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.19 over a fast track. It was the fastest Rebel Stakes win since Smarty Jones in 2004. The Factor, a gray Kentucky-bred colt by War Chant, set fractions of 23.33, 46.77, and 1:10.98 when holding an open lead throughout. The final margin was about six lengths, with Caleb’s Posse, a 24-1 shot, finishing second, about a neck before Archarcharch in a field of nine 3-year-olds. Sway Away, the solid second choice, was never a factor.
The Factor, owned by Fog City Stable and George Bolton, has won 3 of 4 starts and was coming off a front-running score in the San Vicente at his home track Santa Anita.
The Factor left Oaklawn early Monday morning to return to his Santa Anita base, and Baffert said he is inclined to send the horse back in for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 16.
“Right now, I’d say we’d come back,” said Baffert.
The Factor won his maiden with a Beyer of 108, then the Grade 2 San Vicente in February with a 103. He took quick command of the Rebel, and easily was up by 2 1/2 lengths through an opening quarter in 23.33. He earned a Beyer of 103.
“The thing is, he’s just natural speed,” jockey Martin Garcia said of The Factor. “He’s a really strong horse, but whatever you ask him, he gives it to you. He gives you everything.”
“He could have gone a mile and an eighth today,” said Baffert. That just so happens to be the distance of the Arkansas Derby.
The Factor looked very comfortable throughout the entire race and a bump from 1 1/16-miles to 1 1/8-miles should not be a “factor” in determining his ability to go even farther. However, the quality of the field he faced on Saturday was determinedly weak, especially with Sway Away failing to fire. Midwestern stars, such as Archarcharch and Caleb’s Posse, are miles behind the likes of Uncle Mo, Dialed In and Soldat.
In addition, it’s very easy to win when never challenged on the front end and it is doubtful The Factor will be able to coast on the lead in the Kentucky Derby without being pressed early on.
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