Medina Spirit all heart in Robert B. Lewis Jan 31, 2021 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com
After expending energy to set a strong pace on a deep, demanding track at Santa Anita,
Medina Spirit had a right to succumb in Saturday’s $100,500 Robert B. Lewis S. (G3). Instead, the Bob Baffert trainee was lion-hearted as he fended off challenges from Roman Centurian and Hot Rod Charlie in a three-way thriller.
Medina Spirit was coming off a second in the Sham (G3) to stablemate Life Is Good, the early Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite. That made Medina Spirit the even-money choice here, despite the presence of a few classy rivals including Hot Rod Charlie, the runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).