Three Technique, Wells Bayou Post Final Rebel Works

Two leading candidates for the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds March 14 completed major preparations for the 1 1/16-mile race on a sunny morning March 7 at Oaklawn Park.

Three Technique worked a half-mile in :48 4/5 for trainer Jeremiah Englehart, and Wells Bayou went the same distance in :48 2/5 for trainer Brad Cox. Both horses breezed on a fast track.

Exercise rider Marquel Lemon was aboard Three Technique, who worked with stablemate Captain Bombastic—a 3-year-old New York-bred stakes winner—just after the break to renovate the racing surface. Three Technique galloped out five furlongs in 1:01 and six furlongs in 1:14.80. 

Three Technique recorded a swift half-mile bullet (:46) a week ago, so Englehart said he was looking for something much less taxing Saturday. 

"We wanted to do an easier work this time and then let him kind of continue on the gallop out to just get some air in him," said Englehart, who trains Three Technique for Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells. "Seemed like it went pretty well."

Three Technique hasn't started since a runner-up finish in the Jan. 24 Smarty Jones Stakes, Oaklawn's first of four qualifying races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The one-mile Smarty Jones marked the stakes and two-turn debut for Three Technique, who has been favored in all five starts. Englehart said Luis Saez will ride the son of Mr Speaker  for the first time in the Rebel, the final major local prep for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) April 11.

"Luis is one of the best," Englehart said. "You don't mind putting your cleats on with him. He's a guy you want to have on your team."

Wells Bayou, the runner-up in the Feb. 17 Southwest Stakes (G3) in his most recent start, worked with stablemate Something Natural under Fernando De La Cruz. Wells Bayou galloped out to five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 and to six furlongs in 1:13 3/5.

Wells Bayou opened his 3-year-old campaign with a frontrunning four-length allowance victory Jan. 26 over Something Natural. Something Natural returned to clear his first allowance condition Feb. 15 and is a candidate for the $250,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) March 14 at Turfway Park, Cox said.

The Oaklawn racing department listed eight probables for the Rebel late Saturday morning—American Theorem, Basin, Nadal, No Parole, Silver Prospector, Three Technique, Wells Bayou, and Winning Impression. The Rebel will offer 85 points to the top four finishers (50-20-10-5) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.