This stakes has history! The Robert B. Lewis Stakes got its start in 2007, named for a cherished horseman and owner. Lewis and his wife owned 6 Eclipse Award winners and 2 KY Derby winners, Silver Charm and Charismatic. The evolution of this race dates back to 1935 when it began as the Santa Catalina Handicap. The Robert B. Lewis is a Grade III dirt race at Santa Anita Park, in Arcadia, CA, for 3 year-old thoroughbreds. It is raced over 1 and 1/16 miles (8.5 furlongs). The purse is $150,000. Ferdinand and I’ll Have Another both won the Robert B. Lewis and the KY Derby in 1986 and 2012 respectively. Several famed thoroughbreds have been victorious in the Robert B. Lewis. Bob Baffert has the most wins for a trainer with 6 victories.
The 2019 edition will post on 2/2 at 2:53 PM PT (5 :53 PM ET) as the 6th race on a card of 10. The first race is at Noon PT or 3 PM ET. The first four winners will receive 10-4-2-1 KY Derby Points in order of finish. Here are the contenders by post/horse/jockey/trainer/owner/and morning-line odds:
- Kid Catalina/Geovanni Franco/Librado Barocio/Hay Day Racing/20-1
- Magnificent McCool/Flavien Prat/Doug F. O’Neill/Phoenix Thoroughbreds III/8-1
- Easy Shot/Rafael Bejarano/J. Keith Desormeaux/Calumet Farm/8-1
- Gunmetal Gray/Mike E. Smith/Jerry Hollendorfer/West Point Thoroughbreds, Pearl Racing and Hollendorfer, LLC./9-5
- Mucho Gusto/Joseph Talamo/Bob Baffert/Michael L. Petersen/8-5
- Nolo Contesto/Joel Rosario/John W. Sadler/Hronis Racing., LLC./5-2
The photos in this story were taken by Thoroughbred U’s handicapper when he was at Del Mar. I thank him for his contributions. These pictures are of Bob Hope Stakes winning Mucho Gusto. He looks to be a strong choice for winning this race as well.
It will be interesting to see who wins this stakes and goes on to compete in the $1 million dollar Santa Anita Derby, the KY Derby or both! Hang on tight, as the Road to the KY Derby is a bumpy ride. Don’t miss today’s 2 other KY Derby Preps either, the Withers and the Holy Bull at 4:30 and 5:13 PM ET.
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