Kentucky Derby Hopeful Blackout Time Pointed to Rebel

Blackout Time is targeting the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) March 1 at Oaklawn for his 3-year-old debut, co-owner Lance Gasaway said Saturday morning. Blackout Time hasn't started since a runner-up finish behind eventual 2-year-old champion Ted Noffey in the Breeders' Futurity Stakes (G1) at 1 1/16 miles Oct. 4 at Keeneland. Blackout Time was entered in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) Oct. 31 at Del Mar, but he was a regulatory veterinarian scratch because of an alleged soundness issue. READ: Blackout Time Resumes Breezing A son of red-hot sire Not This Time, Blackout Time returned to the work tab Jan. 23 at Fair Grounds and breezed two other times there (Jan. 30 and Thursday) before shipping to Oaklawn. "We don't need any (hiccups), but we're doing good," Gasaway said. "He'll have his fourth workout here Wednesday." In addition to preparing for his 3-year-old debut, Gasaway said Blackout Time will be working to get off the HISA veterinarian's list in order to regain racing eligibility in jurisdictions under HISA guidelines. "Wednesday will be our fourth work and then we want to get two more," Gasaway said. "So, that's six works. He's doing good. He worked five-eighths the other day and a half the week before that and he wasn't even breathing." Prior to the Breeders' Futurity, Blackout Time broke his maiden by 9 ¾ lengths at one mile Aug. 2 at Ellis Park. Overall, he has a 1-2-0 record from three starts and earnings of $210,691. McPeek, as an agent, purchased Blackout Time for $210,000 in 2024 at Fasig-Tipton's Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale. Gasaway races Blackout Time in partnership with Brookdale Racing and McPeek's Magdalena Racing. Gasaway, of Star City, Ark., is best known for breeding and racing 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan in partnership. The 1 1/16-mile Rebel is Oaklawn's third Kentucky Derby points race and will offer 105 total points (50-25-15-10-5, respectively) toward starting eligibility for the first leg of the Triple Crown. Blackout Time earned five Kentucky Derby qualifying points for his runner-up finish in the Breeders' Futurity.