Old Fashioned Upset by 57-1 Long Shot in the Rebel Stakes

March 15, 2009
By Profitus Maximus

In the Rebel Stakes this past Saturday at Oaklawn Park, Old Fashioned was upset by a huge long shot named Win Willy. In fact he was so upset that he is refusing to speak to his trainer for not sufficiently conditioning him for the race.

Well maybe Old Fashioned wasn’t upset by the 57-1 long shot but he was probably a bit confused that a horse passed him in the stretch, as that had never happened in his heretofore undefeated career.

Only Pointed Home was given less respect at the betting windows than Win Willy, going off at 100-1 odds, although even Pointed Home ran respectably, finishing sixth and outrunning a couple of horses that closed at under 10-1 odds.

The early scenario unfolded much as it did in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on February 16, with speedster Silver City setting out for the lead, with Old Fashioned stalking a length and a half back in second. This pace was fast again as those two put a couple lengths on the field down the backstretch.

By the quarter pole, Old Fashioned had overtaken Silver City who clearly wants a shorter distance, and he appeared to be home free, but at the 3/16ths pole, a threat emerged in the form of Win Willy as he steadily but surely began to gain on the heavy favorite.

By the 1/16th pole, it was clear an upset was looming, as Win Willy had the momentum and drew off by 2 ¼ lengths to win in 144.41.

Old Fashioned certainly did not disgrace himself as he managed to keep 8 lengths between him and the third place finisher, Poltergeist. Moreover, he earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

Oaklawn Park is known for being a little bit quirky, and so Old Fashioned’s effort should not be held against him. It was a very solid performance and he is still one of the leading contenders for the 2009 Kentucky Derby.