Zayat Stables hopes to follow familiar path in Rebel Stakes

Justin Zayat said job requirements will keep him from attending the Grade 2 $900,000 Rebel Stakes for 3-year-olds Saturday at Oaklawn Oaklawn Park, but he said he will be watching.

Zayat's family co-owns 3-2 program favorite Solomini, who will be making his 2018 debut in the 1 1/16-mile major Kentucky Derby prep race.

"It's killing me, but hopefully I can make it for a race like the Arkansas Derby, if possible," said Zayat, the family's racing and stable manager.

Zayat Stables, LLC, has already tasted success in the Rebel with American Pharoah, who began his 2015 campaign with a runaway victory in the race for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. American Pharoah followed that up with a romp in the Arkansas Derby, then became the first Triple Crown winner since 1978, a Breeders' Cup Classic winner and Horse of the Year.

To honor the most famous horse to ever race in Hot Springs, Oaklawn unveiled a bronze life-sized statue of American Pharoah at the newly redesigned entrance to the grandstand Jan. 11, a day before the 2018 meeting began. Zayat said Oaklawn-based Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, who also trains for his family, raves about the statue.

"I've heard it's unbelievable," Zayat said. "Coach tells me all the time that it's beautiful. I will see it one day."

Baffert trains Solomini, a son of 2007 Rebel and Arkansas Derby winner Curlin.

Among the country's most accomplished 2-year-olds last year, Solomini will be making his first start since being disqualified from a victory in the Grade 1 $300,000 Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 9 at Los Alamitos for interference in the stretch. He also finished second in the Grade 1 $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Nov. 4 at Del Mar and second in the Grade 1 $300,000 FrontRunner Stakes Sept. 30 at Santa Anita.

Zayat said Solomini, named for his 16-month old nephew Solomon, is the family's best Kentucky Derby prospect since American Pharoah.

"We've had some nice success at Oaklawn over the years with Bodemeister and American Pharoah," Zayat said. "Oaklawn always holds a special place in our hearts."

The Baffert-trained Bodemeister was a runaway winner of the 2012 Arkansas Derby before finishing second in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

Sports on 03/17/2018

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