Medina Spirit holds off challengers in Robert Lewis Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Medina Spirit shook off two challengers early and two more late in a game performance in winning the Grade 3, $100,500 Robert Lewis Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita, and gaining 10 points toward a berth in the Kentucky Derby on May 1.

He earned it. Medina Spirit, starting from the rail in the 1 1/16-mile race, was sent along and made the front, and though the plan was for him to then take back a furlong into the race, jockey Abel Cedillo went on with him. Wipe the Slate and Parnelli went with him early, and they went fast, through fractions of 22.89 seconds for the quarter and :46.61 for the half over a track that was rated good and was tiring following rain Friday.

“We went a little fast, but from the rail you have to use your horse a little bit,” Cedillo said.

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Medina Spirit disposed of Wipe the Slate and Parnelli heading around the far turn, but then faced fresh challenges from Roman Centurian and Hot Rod Charlie, who had a race shape that was favorable. All three were right together passing the furlong pole, but Medina Spirit tenaciously fought them off to win by a neck, with Roman Centurian nosing out Hot Rod Charlie for second.

The rest were well back. Spielberg was fourth, 11 lengths behind Hot Rod Charlie, and it was another eight to Parnelli, with Wipe the Slate last.

Rombauer and Waspirant were scratched earlier in the day, leaving a field of six.

The race was fast early, slow late, with Medina Spirit covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.26.

“He had every reason to stop,” said his trainer, Bob Baffert, who was winning the Lewis for a record ninth time and for the third straight year. “This track was really tiring. He’s gonna get a lot out of this race.”

Medina Spirit, the even-money favorite, paid $4 to win.

The Lewis was only the third start for Medina Spirit. He defeated maidens sprinting in his debut at Los Alamitos on Dec. 11, then was second to his highly regarded stablemate Life Is Good in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes here four weeks ago, on Jan. 2, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 99, tops in the field.

“This shows the quality of him and Life Is Good,” Baffert said.

Life Is Good was purposely kept out of this race to await the San Felipe on March 6.

Medina Spirit, by the Giant’s Causeway stallion Protontico, was purchased as a 2-year-old in training last year by Zedan Racing Stables for just $35,000.

“Don’t let the $35,000 fool you. He’s a beautiful horse. A beautifully made horse,” Baffert said.