The Rebel came up as a showdown between three of the top Kentucky Derby contenders: Afleet Alex, Greater Good, and Rockport Harbor. All had impressive credentials, but in the end it was Greater Good under jockey John McKee, who was sent off at the longest odds (9-2) of the trio, who came home the victor, finishing a neck in front of Rockport Harbor.

With a field of just six, Rockport Harbor and Afleet Alex figured to break on top, and Greater Good would settle near the back. It didn't quite work that way, as Rockport Harbor, making his first start since last November, stumbled at the break and found himself pinched between Afleet Alex on the rail and Copy My Notes to his outside. Meanwhile, Greater Good broke very alertly and found himself on the lead for a brief moment

Rockport Harbor had other ideas about who should be on the lead. He pushed his way between two foes, swung wide going into the first turn, dragging jockey Stewart Elliott to the lead. Afleet Alex settled into second, with Greater Good dropping back some five lengths off the leader in the third spot. Elliott had a strong hold on Rockport Harbor down most of the backstretch, getting to the half mile in a solid :47.25 seconds. Afleet Alex remained in second, while Greater Good dropped back to fourth.

Around the clubhouse turn, Afleet Alex made a run at the leader, but Rockport Harbor still had something left. At the same time, longshot Batson Challenge and Greater Good were making up ground on the leader. Into the stretch, Afleet Alex gave way to the closers, but Rockport Harbor was very game. Greater Good shook off Batson Challenge, gaining on Rockport Harbor with every stride. He caught the gray colt near the wire, getting up by a half length, stopping the timer in 1:44.92. Rockport Harbor was two lengths in front of Batson Challenge. Copy My Notes and Jazzy Gallop were next.

Afleet Alex, the 3-5, was the big disappointment for his backers, finishing last after slowing fairly dramatically in the stretch.

Greater Good, conversly, continues to make his connection very happy, winning his third straight stakes, and second in a row at Oaklawn after winning last month's Southwest. For trainer Bob Holthus, this may be his return ticket to the Derby, as he saddled Pro Prado to a 13th place finish in last year's race. That colt was a longshot, however, something that Greater Good definitely won't be if he continues with this type of effort. Holthus indicated that the Arkansas Derby is the likely final stepping stone to Louisville.

With the win, Greater Good increased his lifetime earnings to $436,285 for owner Lewis G. Lakin, who also bred the son of Intidab. Greater Good has now won five of seven lifetime starts, including four stakes, with one third. With a huge portion of the show pool bet on the off-the-board finisher Afleet Alex, there were some healthy show payoffs. Greater Good's win was $11.20, $4.00, and $11.20. Rockport Harbor paid $3.40 and $9.80, and longshot Batson Challenge paid $31.60 to show. The $2 exacta was worth an even $34.

At Tampa Bay Downs, Sun King dominated six overmatched opponents to score an easy 3 1/4 length win in the Tampa Bay Derby at 1-20 odds. Jockey Edgar Prado got his colt to the lead after just a few jumps, and controlled the pace throughout the race. Longshot Forever Wild made a bid for the lead at the top of the stretch, but Sun King shrugged off the challenge with minimal effort, widening his lead through the stretch, finishing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 4/5, just 2/5 of a second off the track record.

At the short odds, Sun King paid $2.10 across the board. He earned $150,000 for owner Tracy Farmer in the Grade Three race. This was Sun King's second win in as many starts this year; he took an allowance race with similar ease last month at Gulfstream Park. Trainer Nick Zito will probably have his colt, a son of 1999 Derby Charismatic, make one more start prior to the Derby, likely in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

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