Robert B Lewis Stakes Picks 2018

Robert B. Lewis Preview and Odds

Unlike the (G2) Withers Stakes and (G2) Holy Bull Stakes that will be run earlier in the day and feature several of the top horses already holding down a spot on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, the Robert B. Lewis features a field of almost all "new shooters" looking to grab their first Derby qualifying points. The race awards points to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 scale.

After running second in his first two lifetime starts, Peace (sired by a horse named Violence) finally got his maiden win last out, and on the strength of that result gets the slight nod as favorite in the morning line odds at 3-1. In that effort he raced mid-pack in the seven-horse field before coming three wide into the lane and churning forward to get up for the 3/4-length win, going 1 1/16 miles on the Santa Anita dirt. 

Prior to that he was beaten by a head after a stretch duel with Shivermetimbers, who checks in here as second choice at 7-2. That was Shivermetimbers maiden score, and from there he jumped up into graded-stakes competition, ultimately running fourth as second choice in the (G3) Sham Stakes at Santa Anita. He was slightly compromised in that race when having to check at the top of the lane, and a cleaner trip here should give him a shot at grabbing the top spot. 

The winner of that race, McKinzie, currently sits in a tie for second place on the Derby leaderboard with 20 points.

Pepe Tomo Should Come Flying Late

Expected to be making up ground late is Pepe Tomo (6-1) sired by graded-stakes winner and 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes runner-up Bodemiester. Trained by Victor Garcia, he was a well-beaten sixth in his racing debut but comes into this race off a maiden win at Santa Anita in his second lifetime start just three weeks ago.

After trailing the field through quick early fractions, he came four wide off the turn and made up four lengths down the stretch to go on to win by 1 1/2 lengths at odds of 11-1. That race was at a mile, and given his pedigree, the extra distance here should work to his advantage.

One of the more intriguing options in the field is Inscom (6-1). After being well-beaten in his racing debut on the dirt at Santa Anita, his connections switched tactics and have recently been running him on on the turf. Results have been mixed, as he did get his maiden win in the grass, could do no better than fifth in the (G3) Cecil B. DeMille Stakes, and last out was just beaten by a head in the Eddie Logan Stakes at one mile.

Now he switches back to dirt and tries to stretch out beyond one mile for the first time. Despite having some talent, he's likely looking at getting a minor reward here. 

The Robert B. Lewis Stakes goes Saturday, February 3 from Santa Anita race track in Arcadia, California. It's race #5 of nine on the day, and the second of four graded stakes. Post time is 2:34 PM Pacific. 

Entries w/ML Odds

1. Ayacara (8-1)
2. Pepe Tono (6-1) 
3. Dark Vader (10-1)
4. Lombo (5-1)
5. Shivermetimbers (7-2)
6. Inscom (6-1) 
7. Peace (3-1)
8. Regulate (8-1)
9. Blame The Rider (15-1)

Robert B. Lewis Picks

• 1) #2 - Pepe Tomo
• 2) #7 - Peace
• 3) #5 - Shivermetimbers
• 4) #6 - Inscom

You can bet the Robert B. Lewis Stakes as well as all the 2018 Kentucky Derby prep races, and make a future bet on the Derby itself, with an account at Bovada's online racebook.

Category : Betting Picks

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