Bet Now

2020 Kentucky Derby Prep Races: Robert B. Lewis Stakes

2020 Kentucky Derby Prep Races: The race formerly known as the Santa Catalina Stakes was renamed the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) in 2007 to honor one of the most beloved owners in thoroughbred racing.

2020 Kentucky Derby Prep Races: Robert B. Lewis Stakes

The $100,000 Lewis at 1 1-16 miles is the second main prep on the Southern California road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 2, with several others to follow before the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 4, a race that has produced many top Derby contenders.

The familiar green and yellow silks representing Lewis and his wife Beverly — created in homage to the couple’s alma mater, the University of Oregon — were carried by some of the most accomplished runners of the past three decades, including Derby and Preakness winners Silver Charm (1997) and Charismatic (1999), champions Serena’s Song, Orientate and Folklore.

A field of six 3-year-olds – half of whom have reached the winner’s circle with a stakes tally – are entered for Saturday’s Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita. Up for grabs are Derby points for the first four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 basis.

2020 Kentucky Derby Prep Races: Robert B. Lewis Stakes Brief History

The Lewis, then the Santa Catalina, was held for the first time in Santa Anita’s inaugural season of 1935. Since then, some pretty familiar names have had their photo taken after reaching the wire in front, including Sham and Ferdinand, recently deceased top sire Pioneerof the Nile and Derby and Preakness winner I’ll Have Another. Other notable winners include champions Declan’s Moon and Artax, as well as Grade 1 winner Dortmund.

A year ago, Mucho Gusto won the Lewis and though he didn’t earn enough points to make the gate for the Kentucky Derby, he won a pair of Grade 3 stakes over the summer and then most recently captured the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

Hall of Famer Bob Baffert has saddled a record seven winners (1999, 2003, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2019) and jockeys Bill Shoemaker and Laffit Pincay Jr. rode a record seven winners each. The race has been contested at various distances from seven to nine furlongs and once at three furlongs in 1940, when it was offered for 2-year-olds.

The weather outlook for Saturday’s race is calling for unseasonably warm highs in the low-80s. The main track is likely to be fast and the turf course firm as there’s been no rain in the area for weeks and none forecast for several days. The Lewis is the sixth race with a post time of 3 p.m. PT

The field, with jockeys and trainers:

2020 Kentucky Derby Prep Races: Robert B. Lewis Stakes

PP Horse Jockey Trainer
1 Encoder Mike Smith John Sadler
2 Thousand Words Flavien Prat Bob Baffert
3 Tizamagician Victor Espinoza Richard Mandella
4 Royal Act Abel Cedillo Peter Eurton
5 High Velocity Joel Rosario Bob Baffert
6 Zimba Warrior Jose Valdivia Keith Desormeaux

Register now with UsRacing.com, and grab an amazing sign up bonus to get your action on the different 2020 Kentucky Derby Prep Races!

Proudly featured on: