A rebel yell at Hoosier

Rebelman battled back in his 5-year-old debut and won the $23,000 Invitational pace on Saturday, April 8 at Hoosier Park. With driver Joe Essig Jr. aboard, the gelded son of Electric Yankee rallied, took the lead in the stretch en route to victory, and paced the mile in 1:52.4.



"He (Rebelman) felt really good coming down the stretch tonight," Essig said "Not everything went as planned. I didn't think we would end up on the lead halfway through the race. We just went out there and got lucky and received some great breaks."



Never worse than second while racing around the seven-eighths mile oval, Rebelman settled back in the pocket early, behind Kennans Josh and driver Walter Haynes Jr., on the clubhouse turn. The field reached the quarter pole in :26.4.



Rebelman made the first move on the backstretch, where he powered his way to the front, but after he reached the half-mile pole in :57.1 the heavy favorite, Foxy Maneuver, came from the back of the pack and captured the lead--but that advantage was short-lived, until the field of nine reached the stretch.



At the seven-eighths pole, Rebelman was able to find another gear and Essig sent the Indiana-sired horse to the outside. Rebelman moved to the center of the track, never looked back, and reached the wire one length ahead. A late-closing Infinityandbeyond and driver Jay Cross finished second and Foxy Maneuver held on and finished in the show spot.



Rebelman returned $18.40 for the win, the 13th of his career. He also passed the $100,000 mark in lifetime earnings for breeder-owner-trainer Steve Brannan.



"A ticket to the Dan Patch this year would be awesome," said Brannan. "He has raced really well the last two years. He loves racing in Indiana, especially at Hoosier Park. I haven't really changed his training routine in the last year. He is just a strong horse." (Hoosier Park)

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