Sat Mar 15 19:42:05 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Sierra Sunset captures Rebel Stakes

---

Hot Springs, AR (Sports Network) - Sierra Sunset, ridden by Chris Emigh, drew clear down the stretch to win Saturday's $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The Rebel is the last local prep race for the April 12 Arkansas Derby.

Nine three-year-old thoroughbreds broke from the starting gate in the 48th edition of the Rebel Stakes. Taking the early lead was Sacred Journey, followed by Sierra Sunset and Stone Bird.

Sacred Journey, with Calvin Borel in the saddle, opened about four lengths on the field as he hit the back stretch. Running second was Sierra Sunset with Stone Bird in third and He's Eze in fourth.

Sacred Journey still had the lead with a half-mile to run. Sierra Sunset began to cut into the lead with He's Eze also gaining.

Around the turn for home Sierra Sunset assumed the lead as Sacred Journey began to tire. Sierra Sunset hit the top of the stretch in first followed by Isabull and King's Silver Son. Odds-on favorite Z Fortune was unable to get into contention.

Sierra Sunset went on to win the 1 1/16 mile race by three lengths over King's Silver Son with Isabull third. The time for the Rebel was 1:43.88 on a fast track.

Completing the order of finish was Golden Yank, Z Fortune, He's Eze, Anak Nakal, Stone Bird and Sacred Journey.

Sierra Sunset is trained by Jeff Bonde for owners Philip Lebherz, Al Mariani, George Schmitt and Carol Wirth Trust Charles Wirth. Saturday's win was worth $180,000 to bring the colt's career earnings to $428,696.

The three-year-old was coming out of Oaklawn's Southwest Stakes, where he was second to Denis of Cork. He began the year with a fourth-place finish in the San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita, the same track where he won the California Cup Juvenile last November.

Sierra Sunset has now won four of 11 lifetime starts. His first stakes victory was the Bay Meadows Juvenile at Bay Meadows Race Course last September.

Sierra Sunset returned $10.40, $4.80 and $3.80. King's Silver Son paid $11.00 and 5.40, and Isabull paid $8.00 to show.