Batson Challenge to run in Rebel

Batson Challenge will have to face Afleet Alex (pictured above) in the Rebel  (Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com)

BATSON CHALLENGE (Ide) will run in the

$250,000 Rebel S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park on March 19, according to trainer Peter

Vestal. The bay colt captured a

first-level allowance at the Rebel's distance of 1 1/16 miles on February 20 at

the Hot Springs, Arkansas, oval.

Vestal has won two of the last nine runnings of the Rebel -- with Ide in 1996

and Crafty Shaw in 2001. Batson Challenge is expected to meet Afleet Alex

(Northern Afleet), Greater Good (Intidab) and Rockport Harbor (Unbridled's Song)

in the Rebel, a local prep for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G2) on April 16.

"Those obviously are all nice horses and I can't begin to separate them,"

Vestal said. "My horse can't match them, but things can happen in a race, and

you never know. My horse has gotten better with each start so he deserves a

chance.

"Plus there's no pressure. If I get third, I'll be a hero. Truth is, I'll be

tickled to death to get third."

Vestal plans to breeze Batson Challenge an "easy" half-mile on Tuesday, then

give him a "stiff" five-eighths work next week with Calvin Borel aboard.

"I have an extra incentive," Vestal added. "I trained his sire (Ide) and the

dam (Motion in Limine)."