Several highly touted contenders for the Belmont Stakes and the other Triple Crown races will take the next step on Saturday as they compete in the Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park.  Heading the field is morning line favorite The Factor, with a pair of other promising three year olds–JD’s Gusto and Sway Away–also in the mix.

The Factor–owned by Fog City Stable/George Bolton and trained by Bob Baffert–looked excellent in his stakes debut in the Grade II San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita in February and with his performance increased speculation that he’ll be pointed toward the ‘Run For The Roses’. What has observers excited about The Factor is his speed–he completed the 7 furlong San Vicente in 1:20.34 and won his 6 furlong maiden race at Santa Anita in a distance record 1:06.98 last December.

After his San Vicente win trainer Bob Baffert was characteristically vague about his future plans for The Factor:

“One thing about George (owner Bolton), he’s very patient. He’s been in this game a long time and we’ll wait for The Factor to tell us when he’s ready to jump back into the fray. It’s hard to get a horse like this. They don’t come around very often.”

The top three horses in Saturday’s race have quite a history together despite the short time they’ve been racing–Sway Away finished 2nd to The Factor in the San Vicente and 2nd to JD’s Gusto in the Grade II Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar.  After the San Vicente, Sway Away’s trainer Jeff Bonde reaffirmed his confidence in his charge:

“It’s heartbreaking to lose, but that’s the way the game goes. This horse is the best (Kentucky) Derby chance I’ve had in many years. He probably could have used one more work and he maybe got back a little too far today, but he showed me enough that I’m still a believer in him.”

Adding to the intrigue for the Rebel Stakes is the longer distance (1 1/16 miles) which should in theory work against the speed horse The Factor and in the favor of JD’s Gusto and Sway Away.  The Factor was a 2-1 morning line favorite, with Sway Away priced at 5-2 and JD’s Gusto at 5-1.