Magnum Moon enters Kentucky Derby picture

Report: USA, Saturday

Oaklawn Park: Rebel Stakes (Grade 2) 1m½f | dirt | 3yo

Magnum Moon (Todd Pletcher/Luis Saez) is the latest name to hit the Kentucky Derby trail after downing hot favourite Solomini in the $900,000 Rebel Stakes – a race won by subsequent Triple Crown hero American Pharoah in 2015.

Now unbeaten in three starts, the 3-1 shot sat just off the pace before taking command as they entered the stretch and drawing away to score by three and a half lengths. The Grade 1 Arkansas Derby is now a likely target before Churchill Downs.

"We felt like we had a very talented colt," Pletcher said. "I was very pleased with his first two races, but this was a step up in class and he was running against accomplished, seasoned colts."

Also on Saturday

Santa Anita: Santa Margarita Stakes (Grade 1) 1m1f | dirt | 4yo+ f/m

Admittedly it wasn't the strongest Grade 1 field ever assembled but the Santa Margarita Stakes produced a Grade 1-class performance from four-year-old filly Fault (Phil d'Amato/Geovanni Franco), who circled the field on the home turn before shooting away to win by six and a half lengths in an eyecatching display.