Tipsheet: 2022 Robert B. Lewis Stakes

A compact, but talented, field of five three-year-olds will vie in Sunday’s $200,000 Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) at Santa Anita. The 2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series event will offer qualifying points to the top-four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 structure.

Robert B. Lewis Stakes Picks

• #1 Messier
• #2 Sir London
• #4 Wharton

Robert B. Lewis Stakes Wagers

• $20 exacta 1 with 2,4
• $5 trifecta box 1,2,4

Robert B. Lewis Stakes Contenders

#1 MESSIER is the class of the field and one to beat for Baffert. Grade 3 victor finished a big runner-up in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) most recently and removes the blinkers for this assignment. A recent bullet work and the addition of John Velazquez adds to his obvious appeal.

#2 SIR LONDON broke through in a big way in his third career performance for Simon Callaghan. The $700,000 juvenile buy has never run a bad race, and the way he handled two turns for the initial time in his maiden romp gives reason for optimism going forward. Flavien Prat stays atop the win contender.

#3 CABO SPIRIT has proven his class on the lawn but must handle the transition to the main surface against some fine foes. The son of Pioneerof the Nile clearly has ability and has improved since stretching out, but is a tricky read in the compact cast. Victor Espinoza has the assignment.

#4 WHARTON was a sharp debut winner on the surface and could be a very nice prospect going forward for Baffert. The $475,000 son of Candy Ride has posted four solid morning drills in the interim, and the dark bay colt is bred to run long with ease. Win threat will force the tempo with Juan Hernandez in the silks.

#5 HAPPY JACK rallied into a fast pace to register an upset in his debut tally for Doug O’Neill. The Calumet homebred has the pedigree to thrive going long, and he received a nice post draw outside of the small cast to have a clean voyage throughout. Abel Cedillo returns to the irons aboard the Oxbow sophomore.