Lombo staying put for San Felipe Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Lombo, the winner of the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 3 in his stakes debut, will remain in Southern California for the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 10, trainer Mike Pender said on Wednesday.

The $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles will be a barometer of where Lombo fits among California’s 3-year-olds and the nation at large. Bolt d’Oro, a two-time Grade 1 winner in 2017, is scheduled to have his first start of 2018 in the San Felipe. Bolt d’Oro worked five furlongs in 59.40 seconds at Santa Anita on Wednesday.

The San Felipe Stake is a key prep for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 7.

Lombo’s profile has risen remarkably in the last month. Owned by Michael Lombardi, Lombo has won 2 of 4 starts and earned $129,225. He beat maidens at 6 1/2 furlongs on Jan. 20 and made a quick turnaround to the Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. Lombo led throughout the Lewis to win by two lengths.

:: The Road to the Kentucky Derby Player's Package

His affinity for the track has been a key factor in targeting the San Felipe, Pender said.

“There is something to be said for racing on a track you know he likes,” Pender said. “Running him out of the comfort of his own stall always take preference.”

Pender said the colt’s running style is unlikely to change, even though Lombo may be able race from a stalking position.

“He’s got one way of going,” he said. “I think he can rate. He shows me that in the morning. We’ll learn a lot.”

Bolt d’Oro worked in company with a stablemate on Wednesday, starting several lengths behind a target, owner and trainer Mick Ruis said.

“We had a horse seven in front of him, and he caught him at the end,” Ruis said.

Bolt d’Oro has not raced since finishing third as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on Nov. 4. Bolt d’Oro missed training in late December because of a pulled muscle. Wednesday’s workout was the fourth for Bolt d’Oro since he resumed a steady pattern of exercise last month.

“Five weeks ago, we were clenching our teeth,” Ruis said. “Every work is getting better and better.”

Bolt d’Oro will have a five-furlong workout from the gate Tuesday, Ruis said.