Robert B. Lewis Stakes (Grade 2) Preview

Racing Dudes Picks

Win –3

Exacta – 1,3,7 Box

Trifecta – 1,3,7 Box

Horses to Use in Vertical Wagers – 3,1,7

Race Shape

Speed – Diamond Bachelor, Midnight Hawk, El Nino Terrible, Chitu

Stalkers – Home Run Kitten

Closers – Candy Boy, Cool Samurai

Racing Dudes Projected Order of Finish

#3 Midnight Hawk (KY) – His liking of the distance and great recent form make it tough for me to go against him in this spot.  I’m on record several times as saying I don’t think he can get the Derby distance, but lucky for him that question won’t be asked of him in this one.  He’s tremendously talented, has good early speed, and a nice turn of foot when turning for home.  That ability will most likely land him in the winners circle here as he continues down the Triple Crown trail.

#1 Candy Boy (KY) – He’s probably the colt I’m most excited about moving forward, but Midnight Hawk will be tough to beat at this distance today.  Midnight Hawk also could have a fitness edge as Candy Boy hasn’t run since the Cashcall Futurity last year.  I’m expecting a big effort that maybe comes up a little short, but he’ll have us all talking about his potential after this one.  Dangerous horse who could still be improving…

#7 Chitu (KY) – Sharp looking Baffert horse (what else is new) has only ran in sprints, but looks like a horse that has a chance to stretch out a little bit.  His early speed could find him on the lead, which is never a bad thing at Santa Anita.  Garcia has paired up with Baffert so many times to pull off upsets, and could do it again with thin one.

#5 Cool Samurai (KY) – This one could definitely be the wild card of the race.  He has had two very consistent efforts against good groups of maiden special weight runners, so this is the logical next step for him.  The class test will be strong, but perhaps not as strong as one would think a Grade 2 would be.  There aren’t any “monsters” in this one that we know of yet.

#2 Diamond Bachelor (KY) – He’s definitely classy enough, but he’ll have to show me he can run on the dirt before I support him much.  He’s had a few sharp turf efforts, but his only dirt effort was a dismal ninth in the Breeders Cup Juvenile.  Easier field in this one will be more to his liking, but will it matter?

#4 Home Run Kitten (KY) – Broke his maiden last time out running downhill on the turf, so the conditions for this one will be quite different.  He might sit a decent trip, but the dirt question mark is way to much to ignore.

#6 El Nino Terrible (KY) – Was a front running maiden special weight winner at this distance at Santa Anita last time, but will definitely not get that kind of trip in this one.  Can’t blame the connections for taking a shot against this short field, but will probably be out-classed.