Study Guide: 2024 Robert B. Lewis Stakes

Feb 01, 2024 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

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.

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Wine Me Up

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.

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Ace of Clubs

 

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.

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Better Than Gold

 

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.

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Moonlit Sonata

 

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.

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Coach Prime

 

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.

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Nysos

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.

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Stronghold

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.

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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.

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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.