It is apparent that another factor will need to be evaluated on Kentucky Derby day -- the The Factor factor.
Sent off as the 7-5 favorite in the mile and a sixteenth Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park, The Factor proved that he can dominate around two turns. He went straight to the lead. He set fractions of :23.33 and :46.77. And he never stopped -- he stayed on all the way to the wire, winning by about seven lengths.
Under Martin Garcia, The Factor broke quickly and issued a challenge to all of the other runners: Catch Me If You Can. Saratoga Red tried to give chase, but was several lengths off of the lead in the early stages. He was followed by Archarcharch in third, with J P's Gusto fourth and Picko's Pride fifth.
The hot pace continued, with The Factor rattling off three-quarters of a mile in 1:10.98. Suddenly, on the outside, Caleb's Posse entered the picture. With a sudden sharp move on the far outside, he swept into contention.
But The Factor turned him back entering the home stretch, and drew off with power. He ran a mile in 1:35.99 and completed the mile and a sixteenth race in a very sharp 1:42.19.
Caleb's Posse ran a very strong second, with Archarcharch finishing third. J P's Gusto ran fourth.
The Factor proved that he can carry his speed around two turns. With brilliance.
The The Factor factor is going to be an important factor in Louisville.
-Keelerman
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