Doug O'Neill has but two horses nominated to next Sunday's Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., while Bob Baffert has more than half, 11 of the 20. O'Neill is considering debut winner Happy Jack for the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds, which he won in 2007 with Great Hunter and in 2012 with eventual Kentucky Derby winner I'll Have Another.
The Lewis is an official qualifying points race for the Kentucky Derby, awarding 10-4-2-1 to the top four finishers.
“The plan is to run him if he gives us the go sign,” said O'Neill, who is considering an out-of-town stakes for his other Lewis nominee, Los Alamitos Futurity winner Slow Down Andy.
A son of Oxbow, who sired Hot Rod Charlie, Happy Jack was indeed a surprise winning first out at six furlongs on Jan. 22 for owner/breeder Calumet Farm, coming from behind at 24-1 to score by 1 1/4 lengths under Abel Cedillo, who would ride back in the Lewis.
Cedillo won three races yesterday, including the Palos Verdes Stakes on a determined Essential Wager for Bob Baffert.
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