Robert B. Lewis

Jan 31, 2020

A small, but talented, field of six 3-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Saturday in the $100,000 Robert B. Lewis (G3). The “2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby” test will reward the top-four finishers with a 10-4-2-1 points structure towards the Run for the Roses on May 2. 

ENCODER
Total 6 start(s)
Wins:
3
Place:
0
Show:
0
Top Speed Rating:
(93) in Eddie Logan S. victory at Santa Anita
Total Earnings:
$162,271
Owner:
Hronis Racing
Breeder:
Peter Lamantia and Greg Ramsby
Trainer:
John Sadler
Jockey:
Mike Smith
Sire:
English Channel
Dam:
Nono Rose
Color:
Bay

This bay colt has never run on the dirt for conditioner John Sadler. The two-time stakes winner draws well on the rail, and his morning drills on the main surface look to be solid in advance of his main-track debut. Mike Smith picks up the mount atop the son of English Channel. 

Photo Credit: Benoit Photography

THOUSAND WORDS
Total 2 start(s)
Wins:
2
Place:
0
Show:
0
Top Speed Rating:
(95) in Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) triumph
Total Earnings:
(95) in Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) triumph
Owner:
Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm
Breeder:
Hardacre Farm
Trainer:
Bob Baffert
Jockey:
Flavien Prat
Sire:
Pioneerof the Nile
Dam:
Pomeroy’s Pistol
Color:
Pomeroy’s Pistol

This $1 million yearling purchase is unbeaten from a pair of lifetime outings, including a game tally over a few fine foes in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). The leading Kentucky Derby contender commences his sophomore campaign on Saturday, and he will run with blinkers off after being equipped with the headgear last time out. Flavien Prat will guide the favorite and put him into the race early on. 

Photo Credit :Horsephotos.com

TIZAMAGICIAN
Total 6 start(s)
Wins:
1
Place:
4
Show:
0
Top Speed Rating:
(90) in maiden tally at Santa Anita
Total Earnings:
$75,951
Owner:
Myracehorse.com or Spendthrift Farm
Breeder:
Woodford Thoroughbreds
Trainer:
Richard Mandella
Jockey:
Victor Espinoza
Sire:
Tiznow
Dam:
Magic Union
Color:
Bay

Consistent colt from the barn of Richard Mandella broke through with a solid maiden win on the oval in advance of his stakes bow. The Kentucky-bred colt has been first or second in each of his three tries at Santa Anita, and improvement will give him a top-three chance in this field. Regular pilot Victor Espinoza retains the ride. 

ROYAL ACT
Total 2 start(s)
Wins:
1
Place:
0
Show:
0
Top Speed Rating:
(88) when fifth in Eddie Logan S.
Total Earnings:
$32,844
Owner:
C R K Stable
Breeder:
Stonehaven Steadings
Trainer:
Peter Eurton
Jockey:
Abel Cedillo
Sire:
American Pharoah
Dam:
True Feelings
Color:
Bay
This son of leading freshman sire American Pharoah has run on the lawn in both of his lifetime appearances in preparation of his graded stakes debut. The Peter Eurton charge will add blinkers for his first run of the season, and he is the wildcard in the field. Abel Cedillo picks up what could be a live mount.
HIGH VELOCITY
Total 3 start(s)
Wins:
2
Place:
0
Show:
1
Top Speed Rating:
(90) in Bob Hope (G3) score at Del Mar
Total Earnings:
$115,000
Owner:
Gary and Mary West
Breeder:
Dell Ridge Farm
Trainer:
Bob Baffert
Jockey:
Joel Rosario
Sire:
Quality Road
Dam:
Ketel Twist
Color:
Bay

The second from the mighty Baffert barn is a Grade 3 victor who concluded his 2019 campaign with a third-place run in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). Bred in the Bluegrass State, the $350,000 yearling buy shows six recent morning drills and could be the one to catch turning for home in the Lewis. Joel Rosario will guide the bay for the initial time. 

Photo Credit: Benoit Photography

ZIMBA WARRIOR
Total 6 start(s)
Wins:
1
Place:
0
Show:
4
Top Speed Rating:
(86) when third in Sham (G3) at Santa Anita
Total Earnings:
$55,911
Owner:
Cynthia and Charles Marquis
Breeder:
Stonehedge
Trainer:
Keith Desormeaux
Jockey:
Jose Valdivia, Jr.
Sire:
Khozan
Dam:
Slick and True
Color:
Chestnut

Two-time Grade-3 placed sophomore draws outside of the compact field in hopes of earning his first black-type tally. The steadily improving colt must get faster to contend late with the top guns in the field, but he is capable of a top-three finish with continued ascension beneath Jose Valdivia, Jr. 

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