Santa Anita Saturday: 2022 Robert B. Lewis Analysis (2/5/2022)

In 2021 a plucky horse named Medina Spirit won the Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita. He would go on to cross the line first in the Kentucky Derby. Five hopefuls look to repeat that path.

All analysis in the following piece was completed prior to official assignment of program numbers. Players are encouraged to verify the numbers are correct via the Equibase website.

Saturday Stakes Analysis

Santa Anita Park Race 3- Las Virgenes Stakes (Grade 3)

Post: 1:34 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 Las Virgenes S., 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 5

• #5 EDA looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including top connections & class.
• #3 ADARE MANOR should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & power rating.
• #4 QUEEN OF THORNS is worth a look here given edges in race flow & pace numbers.
• #1 MISS EVERYTHING is maybe the next best after the top 3 but it seems like a pretty precipitous drop to this one.

Selections: 5-3-4-1

Santa Anita Park Race 8- Robert B. Lewis Stakes (Derby Prep)

Post: 4:12 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 Robert B. Lewis S., 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 5

• #1 MESSIER looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & breeding.
• #4 WHARTON could get a perfect pace scenario today.
• #2 SIR LONDON merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & race flow.
• #3 CABO SPIRIT is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & pace numbers.

Selections: 1-4-2-3 (Best Bet: #1 MESSIER)

Saturday Undercard Analysis

Santa Anita Park Race 1

Post: 12:30 PM PT; Purse: $67,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 1/8 Miles on Turf; Entries: 6

• #2 SUNNY MORNING looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #3 ANGEL OF FREEDOM is worth a look here given edges in class & record at the distance.
• #5 EXCELERINA has to be respected based on the connections.
• #1 TMORROWISALONGTIME will look to get the best of the race flow in this spot.

Selections: 2-3-5-1

Santa Anita Park Race 2

Post: 1:00 PM PT; Purse: $51,000 Maiden Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6

• #3 AMERICAN LILY is worth a look here given edges in connections & bloodlines.
• #5 MUY CHISTOSA should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & power rating. Of the three with experience, this is the only one I want.
• #2 LOVELY LOLA is a first time starter that could find her way to the winner’s circle.
• #6 DUXONTHEPOND is yet another first time starter in a race where the experience is suspect to say the least.

Selections: 3-5-2-6

Santa Anita Park Race 3- Las Virgenes Stakes (Grade 3)

Post: 1:34 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 Las Virgenes S., 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 5

Las Virgenes Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 5-3-4-1

Santa Anita Park Race 4

Post: 2:04 PM PT; Purse: $24,000 Maiden Claiming, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #3 PRINCE ZIGGY should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & class.
• #2 PARTYOFSIXTEEN appears to be sitting on a big performance her. In maiden claimers it often doesn’t take much to get over the top.
• #5 SAMBA FLAVOR hasn’t lost yet and that is one thing none of the others in here can say. That being said it does feel like a tough task for a firster here.
• #6 THE BOSS HARTY has the foundation and should relish the extra ground.

Selections: 3-2-5-6

Santa Anita Park Race 5

Post: 2:35 PM PT; Purse: $67,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 7

• #7 AGADOR SPARTACUS is worth a look here given edges in class & race flow.
• #4 JACK SIXPACK is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & race flow.
• #2 DARK MARCUS comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.
• #5 FORE FLAG is a major player based on speed figures.

Selections: 7-4-2-5

Santa Anita Park Race 6

Post: 3:06 PM PT; Purse: $67,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #6 HEAVEN'S MUSIC looks formidable here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #4 DICK BEST is worth a look here given edges in pace numbers. The breeding also suggests this one could pop a big performance.
• #5 QUICK BUCK is another who is well bred here. I am hopeful to get a bit of tote board signal that this one is live or needs a start.
• #2 MAGNIFICENT RIDE would have to take a big step forward, but these horses are still babies and can make huge strides seemingly out of nowhere.

Selections: 6-4-5-2

Santa Anita Park Race 7

Post: 3:39 PM PT; Purse: $69,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 7

• #1 TAMING THE TIGRESS is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #7 WISHTHEYALLCOULDBE is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & pace numbers.
• #3 DONUT GIRL looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
• #5 NORTHERN GEM has the best in the money percentage on turf and should be looked at as a major player in vertical exotics.

Selections: 1-7-3-5

Santa Anita Park Race 8- Robert B. Lewis Stakes (Derby Prep)

Post: 4:12 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 Robert B. Lewis S., 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 5

Robert B. Lewis Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 1-4-2-3

Santa Anita Park Race 9

Post: 4:45 PM PT; Purse: $40,000 Starter Allowance, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9

• #7 PRINCIPE CARLO is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #3 ROOKIE MISTAKE is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
• #4 I'M CORFU just may have the foundation to get the extra half furlong that could trip up those equipped for the 6 furlong sprints.
• #5 SMILEFORME merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & record at the distance.

Selections: 7-3-4-5

Betting News Handicapping Tools

While the big races will be on Sunday, Santa Anita will be running all weekend. The racing started on Friday and continues through Sunday. For help handicapping the cards that surround Saturday’s card, don’t forget to check out the free Betting News handicapping tools. These tools use artificial intelligence that can be a great help to making your selections.