Timberlake earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory on Saturday. (Coady Photography)
Oaklawn Barn Notes by Robert Yates
Timberlake exited his Rebel Stakes victory in good order and is to depart Monday for his Fair Grounds base to prepare for a yet-to-be determined next start, Jorgito Abrego, who oversees trainer Brad Cox’s Oaklawn division, said Sunday morning.
“He looks good,” Abrego said. “Looks very happy.”
Timberlake received a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 93 – equaling his career high – for his two-length victory in the $1.25 million G2-Rebel at 1 1/16 miles Saturday at Oaklawn.
Oaklawn’s third Kentucky Derby points race, the Rebel marked the 3-year-old debut of Timberlake, a son of Into Mischief who races for WinStar Farm and Siena Farm. Ridden for the first time by Cristian Torres, Timberlake’s winning time over a fast track was 1:44.00. He was the 4-5 favorite.
Timberlake also received Beyer Speed Figures of 93 for his final two starts last year – a fourth-place finish in the $2 million G1-Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Nov. 3 at Santa Anita and a victory in the $500,000 Champagne Stakes (G1) Oct. 7 at Aqueduct. The Champagne was a one-turn mile.
“I’m very happy,” said Abrego, who saddled Timberlake ($3.60) with Cox in Saudi Arabia for Saturday’s Saudi Cup. “First time running as a 3-year-old. It’s a good start for getting him to the Kentucky Derby.”
Timberlake collected 50 qualifying points for the victory and has 66 overall to rank No. 1 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard released Saturday by Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Derby is limited to 20 starters.
The Rebel, Timberlake’s first victory around two turns, continued Cox’s recent stranglehold on Kentucky Derby preps at Oaklawn.
Dating to 2021, Cox has won seven of its last 15 points races. Cox won Oaklawn’s first 2024 Kentucky Derby points race, the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 1, with Catching Freedom.
“I love it,” Abrego said with a laugh. “Keep it going. Never stop.”
Cox said he would talk with representatives of WinStar Farm and Siena Farm before deciding on Timberlake’s next start, presumably his final Kentucky Derby prep.
Oaklawn’s four-race Kentucky Derby qualifying series concludes with the nine-furlong $1.5 million G1-Arkansas Derby March 30. Cox won the Arkansas Derby in 2022 with Cyberknife and last year with Angel of Empire. No trainer has won Oaklawn’s Arkansas Derby three consecutive years.
Timberlake was Cox’s first Rebel winner. Cox joined Hall of Famers D. Wayne Lukas, Bob Baffert and Steve Asmussen as the only trainers to win all four races in what is now Oaklawn’s Kentucky Derby points series.
Timberlake ($1,094,350) surpassed $1 million in career earnings with his third victory from six starts. He was purchased for $350,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
The Rebel was Cox’s 40th career Oaklawn stakes victory and 298th overall in Hot Springs. Only 15 trainers have reached 300 career Oaklawn victories.
