Class President, Explora gallant in Rebel, Honeybee wins

On a busy Sunday at Oaklawn Park, the $1 million Rebel (G2) and the $750,000 Honeybee (G3) produced a pair of exciting finishes.

Rebel (G2)

A strong field turned out for the Rebel, a 1 1/16-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 50-25-15-10-5 points to the top five finishers. Five of the nine entrants had finished first or second in previous Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifiers, but in the end it was the lightly raced Class President who prevailed at 8-1 odds.

Coming off a runner-up finish in the seven-furlong Swale S. at Gulfstream Park, Class President took a big step forward in his two-turn debut. The Todd Pletcher-trained son of Uncle Mo raced in second place as 3-2 favorite Litmus Test set fractions of :23.06, :46.62, and 1:11.77, then took a slim lead turning for home.

By that time, Southwest (G3) winner Silent Tactic was rallying hard on the outside. An intense homestretch battle ensued, during which Silent Tactic appeared to stick his head in front. But Class President battled back under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez to prevail by a nose in 1:43.21.

“I thought I got it,” said Velazquez of the close finish. “I was a little fearful because he got a little bit sharp going into the first turn. I let (the reins loose) and he was perfect from then on. I was happy and where I wanted to be. When we came down the stretch and the other horse passed him, he responded.”

Litmus Test stayed on for third place, 5 1/4 lengths behind the top pair, followed by Blackout Time, Soldier N Diplomat, Strategic Risk, Honey’s to Blame, Rancho Santa Fe, and Time for Music.

Bred by WinStar Farm and owned by the partnership of WinStar Farm, First Go Racing, and CHC, Class President boasts a 3-2-1-0 lifetime record with earnings of $593,700.

“Very excited about his effort,” said Pletcher. “We’ve been looking forward to getting him around two turns.”

Honeybee (G3)

Whereas the Rebel ended in an upset, the Honeybee unfolded as bettors expected, with even-money favorite Explora triumphing in a prolonged homestretch drive.

Shipping in from California off a lengthy series of top-two finishes against stakes competition, Explora displayed her customary early speed under jockey Flavien Prat, running in second as longshot Knickleandime set splits of :23.45, :47.70, and 1:12.49.

Explora gradually edged forward as the race unfolded, and at the top of the stretch she seized command. However, she soon faced a challenge from Counting Stars, an 11-1 longshot rallying from off the pace. Either filly appeared capable of winning, but Explora dug deep close to home and held Counting Stars safe by three-quarters of a length, reaching the wire in 1:43.52.

“She was a real pro,” said Prat. “We had a good draw. She jumped well and I was able to get her right off the pace and traveling well all the way around. When she turned for home and I asked her, she gave me a good run. And at that point, I didn’t think anybody was going to make a run at her and Counting Stars came. And as soon as she felt her, she just regrouped and went on, so that’s a good sign.”

“She was coming into this race the best she’s ever looked,” said winning trainer Bob Baffert. “We’re pretty proud of her effort. I was hoping that she would run that way and she showed up. It’s nice when they run like you hope.”

Counting Stars pulled two lengths clear of third-place finisher Sneaky Good, while Search Party and Knickleandime secured the last of the 50-25-15-10-5 Road to the Kentucky Oaks qualification points up for grabs. Grace Is Free, Classic Glide, Taken by the Wind, and Take Charge Macy trailed the field.

Explora is a daughter of Blame bred by Mesingw Farm and owned by Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman. Her 7-4-3-0 record includes a runner-up finish in the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), and she’s bankrolled $1,064,250.