Newgate Triumphs in Santa Anita's Robert B. Lewis Stakes

Racing
Four starters, all trained by Bob Baffert, break from the gate in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (BENOIT photo)

When all four contenders in the Feb. 4 $196,000 Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes turned in the stretch at Santa Anita, Bob Baffert had the rare luxury of winning the race before the race was even finished.

In a contest that boiled down to the battle of four Bob Baffert trainees, it was Grade 3 Sham Stakes runner-up Newgate who prevailed to win over Hard to Figure who was second.

The victory comes during a critical time for Baffert, who has been immersed in a legal battle with Churchill Downs Inc. since the disqualification of Medina Spirit from the 2020 Kentucky Derby. Following the Medina Spirit revelation, Churchill handed a 2-year ban to Baffert, which he is contesting in court. Although the Robert B. Lewis, a traditional Santa Anita Park Kentucky Derby prep race, offered 40 Derby points to the top four finishers on a 20-8-6-4-2 scale, none of this year’s participants earned a single point toward the first Saturday in May due to that ban.

Frankie Dettori's flying dismount after winning the Robert Lewis aboard Newgate. (BENOIT photo)

Newgate, the even-money favorite, was last of the four through the early stages as Arabian Lion wrested command from Hard to Figure. Behind fractions of :23.87 and :47.76, Newgate remained under a snug hold from Frankie Dettori until the rider let him out a notch around the far turn. Circling the field, Newgate cruised into contention and dueled a determined Hard to Figure the length of the stretch.

Newgate eventually got the better of Hard to Figure, pulling ahead by a neck under the wire in a final time of 1:43.11 for 1 1/16 miles on a fast track. He returned $4 from a $2 win ticket.

"Frankie Dettori has been teaching him how to just sit back, relax, and come with a punch and that’s what he did today," Baffert said of Newgate after the race. "Before when we were sending him, he wasn’t finishing. I wasn’t sure how far he wanted to go. The trainer landed a record 11th Robert B. Lewis win on Saturday.

Hard to Figure, making his first start around two turns, was 1 3/4 lengths clear of Worcester in third. Highly regarded Arabian Lion faded to fourth and last.

2023 Robert B. Lewis S.
February 4th, 2023

Winning Time: 1:43.11
  • Purse: $200,000
  • Distance: 1 1/16 Miles
  • Age: 3 yo
  • Surface: Dirt
  • Winning Time: 1:43.11
Results
Win
Place
Show
1st
2 Newgate
$4.00
$2.60
2nd
4 Hard to Figure
$5.20
4th
1 Arabian Lion
Payoff
Pick 3
8-8-2
8-8-2
$18
Daily Double
8-2
8-2
$39
Exacta
2-4
2-4
$14
Trifecta
2-4-3
2-4-3
$19
Payoff
Pick 3
8-8-2
8-8-2
$18
Daily Double
8-2
8-2
$39
Exacta
2-4
2-4
$14
Trifecta
2-4-3
2-4-3
$19

newsletter sign-up

Stay up-to-date with the best from America's Best Racing!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube