Long Range Toddy Runs Down Improbable in First Rebel Division

[Wandering Eyes]

All of the buzz heading into the first division of the GII Rebel S. at Oaklawn Park surrounded the seasonal debut of unbeaten GISW Improbable (City Zip), but on the wire it was locally based LONG RANGE TODDY (c, 3, Take Charge Indy–Pleasant Song, by Unbridled’s Song) who proved best. Improbable, bet down to 2-5 favoritism, traveled four-to-five-wide around both turns, but still managed to launch a sweeping bid to the front on the final bend. Holding a tenuous lead in midstretch, he could not hold off the late rush of Long Range Toddy, who entered off a third-place finish in the GIII Southwest S. The dark bay Willis Horton homebred broke sharply and led the field into the first turn, but ceded control to a three-horse cluster headed down the backstretch. Tucked in behind that group as Improbable rallied past six furlongs in 1:11.97, Long Range Toddy was patiently handled until midstretch and tipped out to commence his winning rally.

Long Range Toddy blossomed last autumn at Remington Park, capturing two stakes, including the lucrative Springboard Mile S. He finished a closing second in the Jan. 25 Smarty Jones S. in Hot Springs prior to his Southwest effort. Lifetime Record: GSW, 7-4-1-1, $851,125.

O/B-Willis Horton Racing LLC (KY). T-Steve Asmussen.

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