Arcadia, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Dortmund and Firing Line, the first two
under the wire in December’s Los Alamitos Derby, renew their rivalry in
Saturday’s $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita.
The 1 1/16-mile Robert B. Lewis has attracted six 3-year-olds and serves as a
prep for the Santa Anita Derby on April 4. The stakes, as part of the Kentucky
Derby points system, offers qualifying points to start in the Run for the
Roses. The winner will receive 10 points with the second, third and fourth
place runners receiving four, two and one, respectively.
Trained by Bob Baffert, Dortmund defeated Firing Line in the Los Alamitos
Derby, formerly the CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park, by a head. Both colts
will be making their season debuts Saturday.
Dortmund is the 4-5 morning line favorite and will break from the far outside
post in the six-horse field with regular jockey Martin Garcia. The chestnut
colt is owned by Kaleem Shah, owner of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern.
Dortmund is undefeated in three lifetime starts. He won first time out on Nov.
2 at Santa Anita and followed on Nov. 29 with a 7 3/4-length victory in an
allowance race at Churchill Downs. The colt has earned $359,400.
Firing Line, trained by Simon Callaghan, is the 7-5 second choice and will
break from his rival’s inside with Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens getting
the mount for the first time.
Owned by Arnold Zetcher, Firing Line was second in his debut effort at San
Anita and won on Nov. 30 at Del Mar, with Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith in the
saddle for both starts. Firing Line has banked $144,800.
Here is the complete field for the Robert B. Lewis Stakes in post position
order: Tizcano, Martin Pedroza, 15-1; Rock Shandy, Victor Espinoza, 6-1;
Sebastian’s Heart, Agapito Delgadillo, 30-1; Hero Ten All, Tyler Baze, 10-1;
Firing Line, Gary Stevens, 7-5 and Dortmund, Martin Garcia, 4-5.
The Lewis Stakes has an approximate post time of 5:30 p.m. ET.
