Bolo may try dirt in Robert Lewis Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif.- Bolo is likely to make his main track debut in the $200,000 Robert Lewis Stakes for 3-year-olds on Feb. 7 after winning his stakes debut in Saturday’s Eddie Logan Stakes for 2-year-olds on turf.

Trainer Carla Gaines said she would like to try Bolo on the main track to gauge the colt’s ability on the surface as the Triple Crown races grow closer. She said there are advantages to trying the Grade 3 Lewis Stakes, which is run over 1 1/16 miles.

“I think it works in the sense of timing,” she said. “I think I’ll have to try it.”

Owned by Golden Pegasus Racing, a partnership led by Santa Anita track chairman Keith Brackpool, Bolo won the Eddie Logan Stakes over a mile on turf by contending for the lead throughout and pulling clear to win by 4 1/2 lengths.

At the Del Mar autumn meeting, Bolo won a maiden race over 1 1/16 miles on turf on Nov. 29, racing on the lead throughout. Despite showing speed in his two recent wins, Gaines insists he is not a one-dimensional runner.

“He’s a ratable horse,” Gaines said.

Gaines had a memorable finish to the calendar year with two stakes wins on Saturday. Two races after Bolo’s win, she won the Grade 3 Robert Frankel Stakes for fillies and mares over 1 1/8 miles on turf with Lady Pimpernel, the 5-2 favorite.

Lady Pimpernel was a troubled third in the Grade 3 Red Carpet Handicap over 1 3/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 22 in her American debut. A minor stakes winner in England earlier this year, Lady Pimpernel will race in long distance turf races this winter and spring. One option is the $75,000 Astra Stakes for fillies and mares over 1 1/2 miles on turf on Jan. 18.