The 16th Running of the G3 Lewis Stakes
February 5, 2022 17:10
SA Race #6 $200.000 11/16 Dirt
3YO C/G 121 Lbs F 116 Lbs (plus penalties)
KYD Points Race (10-4-2-1)
Track Record-1:38.57 (Icicle-2005)
Stakes Record-1:41.32 (Positive Thinking-2017)
Entering Sunday’s $200.000 G3 Lewis Stakes at SA, all of the talk in the HRP community was about the success of fillies competing against the boys. Posting his first graded victory in the 8.5-furlong KYD prep, Uranus showed that the boys won’t go quietly into the night. Sunday’s half-length victory in the G3 Lewis earned the winner 10 qualifying points for the May classic and was his fourth in seven career starts. With the purse of the G3 Lewis, Uranus has career earnings of $313.800.
Uranus, breaking from post 5 under A. Cedillo, was quick to establish the early tempo in the G3 Lewis, but he would relinquish the lead entering the backstretch. Content to track the filly Keno Queen after he took the field through an opening quarter in :23.19, the Smokey Stover-trainee stuck to the rail as Keno Queen struck the half-mile a length in front after going :46.39.
Just after entering the final bend, the eventual winner tipped to the two path and began ramping-up the pressure on a hard-ridden Keno Queen as the filly completed 6-furlongs in 1:10.22. Uranus assumed the lead for the 2nd-time just as he hit the top of the lane. He had won the pace battle with the filly, but the war would be fought with different rivals.
With a furlong to go, Uranus held a length and a half advantage with Hilarity and Lord Cherokee appearing as the most likely threats; however, Great State unleashed a furious rally to get within a half-length as Uranus hit the wire in 1:41.76. Hilarity held-off Distinctive Edge for the show honors as the latter was followed across the wire by Grouse Mountain, Lord Cherokee, Keno Queen, Iron Mine, Top Gun, Wally, and Telephone Romeo. Great State, Hilarity, and Distinctive Edge were rewarded for their efforts with 4, 2, and 1 KYD qualifying points, respectively.
Congratulations to Uranus and Smokey Stover for their victory in a rousing renewal of the G3 Lewis Stakes at SA and good luck to all of the combatants going forward on the TC trail.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
