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).
Medina Spirit led all the way and fought off two challengers late to win the $100,000 Robert Lewis Stakes by a neck Saturday at Santa Anita and give trainer Bob Baffert a Kentucky Derby hopeful. Ridden by Abel Cedillo, Medina Spirit ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.26 on a dirt track listed as good after 2.4 inches of rain fell through Friday. Medina Spirit paid $4, $2.80 and $2.20 as the even-money favorite in a field of six.
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Spielberg
Everyone came to play.
In arguably one of the most competitive fields in its 83 editions, dating back to 1935 when it was presented as the Santa Catalina Handicap, Saturday s Grade 3 test for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles looms a major steppingstone to the Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby on April 3 and awards 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the winner, four to the runner-up, two to the third horse and one point to the fourth.
Drawing an inside post with Medina Spirit and an outside post with Spielberg, Bob Baffert has the field of eight sandwiched, at least on paper. Whether the sandwich contains baloney or filet mignon remains to be seen.
With the long-range goal being his third Kentucky Derby victory, trainer Doug O’Neill sends two of his contenders into the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, a Derby points prep Saturday at Santa Anita.