The Factor exits Rebel romp in good order

It was water, water everywhere at Santa Anita Sunday morning as the

heavens unleashed yet another winter storm, but it did not rain on Bob

Baffert's parade.

The Hall of Fame trainer was basking in the glow of THE FACTOR's (War

Front) devastating win in Saturday's Rebel S. (G2) at Oaklawn Park, and

said that all options were open for the colt's next race.

The Factor thrust himself front and center into the Kentucky Derby

(G1) picture with a wire-to-wire victory in the Rebel, winning the 1

1/16-mile test by 6 1/4 lengths under Martin Garcia. The once-beaten

colt easily drew off in the stretch drive.

"He looked good today, he ate up well and all reports are positive,"

Baffert said by telephone Sunday morning. "I think he comes back to

Santa Anita tomorrow. I don't know (if he'll run in the Arkansas Derby

[G1]). Right now, I would say he's going back to the Arkansas Derby.

"I could leave him at Santa Anita, but I don't know. I'm just going

to get him back here and look at him and I'll let him tell me where he

wants to go."

The $1 million Arkansas Derby is scheduled for April 16 going nine furlongs

back at Oaklawn Park. Santa Anita's counterpart to that race is the $1 million

Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 9 at the same distance.

Asked if it was a concern with only a three-week gap should he run in

Arkansas Derby and come back in the Run for the Roses on May 7, Baffert said,

"You know what? I don't know. I just don't know. I have a lot of options with

him. I could go anywhere. He's nominated everywhere. You never know where I'm

going to go."