Irad Ortiz, Jr. will ride GIII Southwest S. runner-up Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect) in the Mar. 19 GII Rebel S. at Oaklawn, according to the gelding's trainer and co-owner, Ron Moquett. The New York-based Ortiz entered Thursday as America's leading rider in earnings with $2,137,987. Mike Smith rode the chestnut in the Southwest.
“I like Irad and Smith,” explained Moquett, “but what I wanted was a two-race commitment. If we run well in the Rebel, we'll have [Ortiz] for the [GI] Arkansas Derby.”
In other Rebel news, Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg said Thursday that he's likely to run Cutacorner (Even The Score) in the second leg of Arkansas' three-pronged Kentucky Derby prep schedule. The grey colt had a tough trip when finishing ninth, beaten 18 lengths, in the Southwest.
“Got cut up pretty bad in that race,” Van Berg said. “Cut his front legs, inside and out.”
Also slated to run in the Rebel are Southwest winner Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft) and seventh-place finisher Discreetness (Discreet Cat), unbeaten Brad Cox trainee Dazzling Gem (Misremembered) and GIII Withers S. runner-up Vorticity (Distorted Humor). Southwest fifth-place finisher Siding Spring (Warrior's Reward) is probable to run, according to the colt's trainer Mark Casse.
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