The top four finishers from Saturday's roughly run GII Rebel S. at Oaklawn Park all exited the race in fine shape and connections are considering a rematch in the Apr. 12 GI Arkansas Derby. Rebel winner Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday) shipped back to Southern California Sunday. “That was a really exciting race, there were four horses coming down to the wire together with all of that pushing and shoving,” said Jim Barnes, assistant to trainer Bob Baffert. “He came back just fine, no worse for the wear. It's up to Bob if we come back with him for the Arkansas Derby.” Runner-up Tapiture (Tapit) also survived the bumping match to the wire. “He came back good,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “He ate up good and he's bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning, which was the big concern. He didn't seem to mind [not winning] and he didn't get his feelings hurt. I wish we would have won, but we still have him and that's a good thing. Coming back in the Arkansas Derby is definitely the plan. That's why we're here.” Trainer Billy Gowan was satisfied with Ride on Curlin (Curlin)'s third-place finish in the Rebel. “He came back great and is perfect this morning,” said Gowan. “He likes a fight, and he got one and he ran hard. We'll just try to keep him sound and keep him moving forward for the Arkansas Derby.” Of fourth-place finisher Strong Mandate (Tiznow), trainer D. Wayne Lukas said, “He's fine this morning and we're looking forward to the next one. Hopefully, we'll do better next time.”
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