Thistledown: Only Boy takes Lewis Memorial by four lengths

NORTH RANDALL, Ohio - Only Boy survived a claim of foul from the rider of runner-up Raise the Reward to win Friday's $50,000 George Lewis Memorial Stakes at Thistledown.

Only Boy circled the field five wide on the second turn, made the lead at the top of the stretch, and then drew off to a four-legnth victory under a hand ride from Jareth Loveberry in the 1 1/8-mile Lewis. Although Only Boy came in a bit in the stretch, he was already well clear of Raise the Reward.

It was 6 1/2 lengths further back from Raise the Reward to Ohio champion Catlaunch in third.

Trainer by Larry Rivelli for Our Blue Streaks Stable, Only Boy captured his first lifetime. He was timed in 1:52.60 over a fast track and returned $5.

Raise the Reward pressured pacesetting Catlaunch while saving ground along the rail, steadied a bit and went out to the six path at the eighth pole but was no match for the winner. Jacob Radosevich, the rider of Raise the Reward, lodged a claim of foul against the winner for interference in the stretch but it was not allowed.

Catlaunch delayed the start while reluctant to load, set the pace with comfortable fractions for a little over 1/2 furlongs before giving way to the top two.