Thousand Words looks to stay unbeaten in Robert B. Lewis

Jan 30, 2020 by James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Thousand Words has stoked Kentucky Derby enthusiasm by winning his first two starts, and he will launch his 2020 campaign in Saturday’s $100,000 Robert B. Lewis (G3). A total of 17 points are up for grabs in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier, and Thousand Words will be an overwhelming favorite among six runners in the 1 1/16-mile event.

By Pioneerof the Nile, runner-up in the 2009 Kentucky Derby and the sire of 2015 Triple Crown victor American Pharoah, Thousand Words is in the right hands with five-time Kentucky Derby winner Bob Baffert. The Hall of Fame trainer can pad his record with an eighth triumph in the Lewis.

Thousand Words broke his maiden over 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita in late October, and the $1 million yearling purchase exits a commendable neck decision over Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up Anneau d’Or in the Dec. 7 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). Flavien Prat will be up.

Baffert is also responsible for High Velocity, who captured the 7-furlong Bob Hope (G3) at Del Mar before a third in the Los Alamitos Futurity. Joel Rosario picks up the mount on the front-running son of Quality Road.

Tizamagician stamped himself as one to watch posting a 2 ½-length maiden decision at Santa Anita, breaking through emphatically for Richard Mandella following three consecutive seconds. Two-time Kentucky Derby winner Victor Espinoza guides. Encoder will go turf to dirt for John Sadler after winning the Dec. 29 Eddie Logan. Sham (G3) third-placer Zimba Warrior and turf maiden scorer Royal Act round out the field.