Dortmund, Firing Line set for rematch in Robert Lewis

ARCADIA, Calif. – Dortmund and Firing Line, first and second in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 20, may meet again in the $150,000 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 7.

On Sunday, Bob Baffert, who trains Dortmund, and Simon Callaghan, who trains Firing Line, said the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles was a short-term goal for their Triple Crown prospects.

“The first spot would be the Bob Lewis,” Baffert said of Dortmund’s options. “If I’m happy with the situation, we will run. I don’t make that call until after the last work.”

Dortmund, owned by Kaleem Shah, worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 last Wednesday and is unbeaten in three starts. He made his stakes debut in the Los Alamitos Futurity, winning the race at 1 1/16 miles by a head.

The Los Alamitos Futurity was the third start and stakes debut for Firing Line, who races for Arnold Zetcher. On Saturday, Firing Line worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds. Callaghan had considered starting Firing Line in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes on March 7 but said the timing of the Lewis is favorable.

“It would be the race if we felt like he was doing well,” Callaghan said. “If you’ve got a horse that is doing well, there is no reason to halt on progress. We might miss the next race. We’re unlikely to run in both.”

The Robert B. Lewis Stakes is possible for The Gomper, who was second in an optional claimer Dec. 31, and Rock Shandy, second in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes on Jan. 1. Peter Miller trains Rock Shandy and Calculator, who won the Sham. Miller said he is considering the Lewis for Calculator but stopped short Sunday of committing to the race.