The 17th Running of the G3 Lewis Stakes
Saturday, February 4, 2023
SA Race #9 $200.000
3YOs 121 Lbs (plus penalties) 11/16
KYD POINTS RACE (20-8-6-4-2)
Course Record-1:38.57 (Icicle-2005)
Stakes Record-1:41.32 (Positive Thinking-2017)
The first Saturday in February puts us roughly 90-days out from the 2023 G1 KYD and the trail is really starting to get busy. This weekend they’ll be running for KYD points in NY, FL, and CA. We’ll focus on the left coast and the 17th running of the G3 Lewis Stakes where 12 runners have drawn into the field and two more (Theegala and Confidence Man) will have to see if anyone scratches. The SA forecast is much dryer than what they dealt with last weekend, so we should see a fast track for this important stop on the KYD trail. There’s a lot to digest, so let’s dig into the field for the G3 Lewis Stakes:
#1 Two Million (Asgar/T. Thornton): Colt only has the maiden-breaker as far as wins go; however, he just missed in the G3 Hope and the listed Gun Runner with strong efforts. The rail draw should only flatter his tactical speed.
#2 Risen Star (Spankys Barn/D. Van Dyke): Gelding won at second asking before setting trying stakes’ company. Of the two black type tries, he fared better in the G3 LA Futurity where he was only beaten a length when getting run down late.
#3 Domiano (Night Mare Racing/J. Lezcano): Another that won at second asking, he’s been beaten just a head in each of his last two. Colt doesn’t have the same speed as the inside pair, but he should be able to find the rail shortly after the start.
#4 Hooligan (TwinTowersRacing/Ru. Gonzalez): Gelding took a DMR MSW before being sold for $30.000. Tried the $100.000 Gun Runner in barn debut, and they’ll add the Bute after that 12th placed run.
#5 Fig Fuel (La Canada Racehorses/S.R. Bahen): Had a three-race winning streak snapped in the G3 Grey Stakes before throwing a serious clunker here last month. That may have been a case where he lost all chance at the break, so maybe he has the kinks worked out for this one.
#6 Sins On Broadway (Arindel/S.X. Bridgmohan): Gelding broke the maiden on the lawn but his biggest win came on NYD as he took the Mucho Macho Man at GP. Utilized a stalk and punce trip that day and there’s plenty of speed to sit behind here.
#7 Prevent (Mb Stables/L. Detorri): Barn has been touting this guy for a while and he’s drawn right in the middle of the gate for his first crack at winners. MSW tally was impressive and the worktab suggests he’s ready for this kind of company.
#8 Raise It (Wood Duck Stables/Mar. Garcia): Gelding had to share the win at CD, but the large purse gets him in here. Didn’t run all that poorly in the GG effort as he was out wide and sent to the front. Draws better here and think he prefers to have a target.
#9 Munich (Mo Mentum Farm/M. Murrill): G2 winner on the lawn, he tried the Smarty Jones down at OP last time. Found himself on a two-length lead early before finishing 5th in Arkansas but believe he’s another that wants to be the chaser instead of the target.
#10 So Grand (Asgar/A. Beschizza): Colt exits a $65.000 stake win down at TUP and really has yet to run poorly in five starts. Running style suggests he may prefer this iteration of the RE, so this is one to keep an eye on.
#11 Bold Ruler (Fractious/U. Rispoli): Colt won an AQU MSW in his September debut. That big win was followed by a 7th in a $175.000 GG stake and a 4th, beaten a length, in a CD G2. Debut wins that late in the season suggests there may be reason to believe this guy has this kind of talent.
#12 Drenched (Allinthegate/D. Davis): Gelding took a SAR turf sprint to break the maiden before besting AQU N1X foes going 6f on the main. Made a late run in his stake’s debut and got up for 4th, beaten only two lengths. He’s another that may prefer this engine given his style.
ALSO ELIGIBLE
#13 Theegala (Alydar Stables): A two-time winner, he was 5th in the Smarty Jones on NYD. Will be coming late, if he gets in.
#14 Confidence Man (Big Guns Stables): MSW win came on grass after two main track tries where he was beaten a length (8th) and a neck (3rd), respectively.
Final Analysis: We’re a sucker for a “buzz horse”, so we’ll call it 7-11-8 in the 17th Lewis Stakes. Good luck, everyone!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
