Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita . Park became an important prep race in Southern California en route to the Kentucky Derby (G1) and served as a springboard in 2012 for I will have another when he passed the Derby and the Preakness Stakes (G1).
Although this is a qualifying points race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, this race formerly known as the Santa Catalina Stakes will not officially award any Derby points in 2023 as all four participants are eligible. coached by Bob Baffert. Churchill Downs Inc. banned Baffert from his tracks until mid-2023 after Zedan Racing Stables’ Medina Spirit tested positive for a banned drug on race day after crossing the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby. 2021. As a result, Baffert’s 3-year-olds do not accumulate points to qualify for the first jewel of the Trident while in his care.
first. Arabian lion (Morning Odds 7-5): Colt from the family of undefeated champions Personal Ensign made a good first impression with last October’s three-round romp on this main track and then runner-up in November 2022 at Keeneland in a race won the eye-catching 104 Equibase Speed Figure. Then he finished last out of five at the 1 1/16-mile Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on his bet debut and needed to prove that race was an anomaly. rather than an indication that he is better suited to sprinting. Hard training on January 29 showed that he must be very sharp for this test. Expect him to dictate speed.
RACER: John Velazquez; TEACHER: Bob Baffert
2. new gate (8-5): An $850,000 purchase at Keeneland’s September 2021 annual sale, he’s second in graded bets in the past two starts, most recently, a distance behind a stable friend regeneration in class 3 Sham Stakes on January 8 at the one mile on this track. Sham was his fourth attempt but failed in the stakes contest after his first win and he took his chance.
RACE: Frankie Dettori; TEACHER: Bob Baffert
3. Worcester (9-5): Still looking for his first win after finishing fourth on his career debut on December 26, 2022, in Santa Anita and then second, beaten by his stable friend high price beat 1/4 of the way Hejazi , in the first special weight class race on January 15 on this main track. After a few sprints, adding distance increases the chances of this Empire maker pony. Got the chance to post a mildly sad post like his stable friend Reincarnation (also ridden by Juan Hernandez) did in Sham Stakes.
RACER: Juan Hernandez; TEACHER: Bob Baffert
4. Hard to imagine (8-1): After a pair of third-place finishes, he took his first career win in the restricted Capote Stakes on September 25, 2022, at Los Alamitos. He was ranked early in 3rd grade Bob Hope Stakes in November at Del Mar and was late to the finish line of five. Baffert is adding flash to help improve focus, but wonders if he could be rerouted elsewhere after a half-mile workout on February 1.
RACE: Ramon Vazquez; TEACHER: Bob Baffert
CHOOSE: Arabian Lion
LONGSHOT: Hard to imagine
