Study Guide: 2024 Robert B. Lewis Stakes
Feb 01, 2024
Stronghold breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Santa Anita’s Road to the Kentucky Derby continues on Saturday with the running of the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis S. (G3).
The race has historically been contested over 1 1/16 miles, but it’s been shortened to one mile around two turns for the 2024 renewal.
In addition to the purse money, the Lewis awards Kentucky Derby (G1) qualification points to its top five eligible finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis.
Let’s take a horse-by-horse look at the nine Lewis entrants:
Note: Since trainer Bob Baffert is currently suspended by Churchill Downs Inc., horses trained by Baffert are ineligible to earn Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points.
Wine Me Up
Wine Me Up (Photo by Benoit Photography)
Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0
Owner: Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman
Breeder: Kenneth L. Ramsey and Sarah K. Ramsey
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Top Speed Rating: (96) when finishing fourth in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos.
Total Earnings: $141,200
Sire: Vino Rosso
Dam: Deanaallen’skitten
Color: Chestnut
Wine Me Up showed early promise, winning his debut before finishing second in Santa Anita’s American Pharoah (G1) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But he’s since missed the trifecta in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), and he’ll need a step forward to turn the tables on a couple of his Los Alamitos Futurity conquerors.
Ace of Clubs
Ace of Clubs wins at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photography)
Start(s): 6
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 1
Owner: ERJ Racing, Fritz Brothers Racing, Pappas Horse Racing, and Pablo A. Suarez
Breeder: Mullikin Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Jockey: Edwin Maldonado
Top Speed Rating: (91) when finishing fifth in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos.
Total Earnings: $83,680
Sire: Mor Spirit
Dam: Rustic
Color: Bay
Ace of Clubs has won two of his three starts sprinting, but hasn’t been as productive since stepping up in class and distance. He exits a fifth-place finish in the Los Alamitos Futurity and needs a jump forward to challenge against this caliber of competition.
Better Than Gold
Better Than Gold wins at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photography)
Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Columbine Stable
Breeder: Hinkle Farms
Trainer: Gary Mandella
Jockey: Mike Smith
Top Speed Rating: (89) when breaking his maiden at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $37,100
Sire: Nyquist
Dam: Sweet Tess
Color: Dark bay/brown
Better Than Gold never factored when finishing eighth in his debut, coming home a wide margin behind Robert B. Lewis favorite Nysos. But he subsequently capitalized on a fast pace to rally and win a one-mile maiden special weight at Del Mar, so this son of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist is progressing in the right direction.
Moonlit Sonata
Moonlit Sonatawins at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photography)
Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Soma Racing Stables
Breeder: Eduardo Vargas
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Jockey: Geovanni Franco
Top Speed Rating: (87) when winning his debut at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $40,600
Sire: Malibu Moon
Dam: Distorted Champ
Color: Bay
Moonlit Sonata was a sharp debut winner sprinting at Del Mar, but stepping up in class for the seven-furlong San Vicente (G2) at Santa Anita resulted in a distant fifth-place finish. He’ll need a rebound to challenge for a top-five finish in the Robert B. Lewis.
Coach Prime
Coach Prime wins at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photography)
Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 2
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables
Breeder: Kim Nardelli, Rodney Nardelli, William Werner, and W. S. Farish
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Top Speed Rating: (98) when finishing third in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos.
Total Earnings: $67,920
Sire: Quality Road
Dam: Act Now
Color: Bay
A 7 1/2-length maiden winner racing one mile at Del Mar, Coach Prime was beaten only one length when third in the Los Alamitos Futurity. He’s dropping blinkers for the Robert B. Lewis and has every chance to record a top-three finish under internationally renowned jockey Frankie Dettori.
Nysos
Nysos wins the 2023 Bob Hope S. at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photography)
Start(s): 2
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Baoma Corp
Breeder: Susie Atkins
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Top Speed Rating: (102) when winning the Bob Hope (G3) at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $96,600
Sire: Nyquist
Dam: Zetta Z
Color: Bay
Nysos has won his first two starts, including the seven-furlong Bob Hope (G3) at Del Mar, by a minimum of 8 3/4 lengths while posting back-to-back 102 Brisnet Speed ratings that top the Robert B. Lewis field. Nysos has lots of early speed, but isn’t a need-the-lead type and has the pedigree to stretch out in distance, suggesting he’s the horse to beat on Saturday.
Stronghold
Stronghold breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 3
Show: 0
Owner: Eric M. Waller and Sharon Waller
Breeder: Eric Waller and Sharon Waller
Trainer: Philip D’Amato
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Top Speed Rating: (99) when finishing second in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos.
Total Earnings: $144,400
Sire: Ghostzapper
Dam: Spectactor
Color: Bay
Stronghold couldn’t keep pace with Nysos in the Bob Hope, finishing second by 8 3/4 lengths, but he subsequently posted a sharp 99 Brisnet Speed rating when second by half a length in the Los Alamitos Futurity. Another exacta finish is well within reach under hot jockey Antonio Fresu.
Mc Vay
Start(s): 2
Wins: 0
Place: 1
Show: 0
Owner: C R K Stable
Breeder: Band of Brothers
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Top Speed Rating: (83) when finishing second in a Santa Anita maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $13,500
Sire: Constitution
Dam: Dothraki Sea
Color: Dark bay/brown
Mc Vay has yet to win a race, and his career-best 83 Brisnet Speed rating is a little light. But he showed promise when finishing second in a quick 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Santa Anita, and his pedigree suggests he’ll appreciate stretching out around two turns. This $1.25 million yearling acquisition has upside for improvement.
Scatify
Start(s): 1
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Doug Branham and Felicia Branham
Trainer: John Sadler
Jockey: Hector Berrios
Top Speed Rating: (88) when winning his debut at Los Alamitos.
Total Earnings: $27,000
Sire: Justify
Dam: Broadway Run
Color: Chestnut
Scatify displayed tenacity when battling to victory in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Los Alamitos last month. His 88 Brisnet Speed rating wasn’t eye-catching, but the son of Triple Crown winner Justify enters the Robert B. Lewis off a bullet six-furlong workout and has a chance to move forward in his second start.
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