Dortmund, Firing Line and four others are stepping up to the plate for their shot at Kentucky Derby points and a share of the $150,000 purse in the Robert B Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. The grade 3 will be the first test of the calendar year for the photo finishing 1-2 at the Los Alamitos Futurity. The Road to the Derby is heating up!

Race: Robert Lewis Stakes (G3)

Location: Santa Anita

Distance: Mile and a sixteenth

Purse: $150,000

Age: 3 Year Olds

Date: Saturday, February 7th 2015

Post Time: 5:30 PM ET, 2:30 Local

TV Coverage: Can be found on TVG (online) and HRTV

PP M/L Horse Jockey Comments 1 15-1 Tizcano Pedroza Finished 5th in the Spectacular Bid but never factored at any point. Highest level win to date is an allowance at Del Mar. Was third at the Juvenile Turf Sprint going 6 1/2. No real confidence of maturity yet. Will wait and see. 2 6-1 Rock Shandy Espinoza 2nd last in the Sham which is two fold. Comfortably clear of the field but comfortably behind the winner. Hard to knock out since he was 3rd in first stakes start, then 2nd last. I would not rule out. 3 30-1 Sebastian's Heart Delgadillo Hard to explain this placement. Abysmal last out in the Cecil B DeMile Stakes 4th time before against even less. Would need a HUGE step up in order to factor here. But when they turn three anything can happen. 4 10-1 Hero Ten All Baze Some call the live long shot here but I do not see it. Just watch the last start in the Sham. Finished 6th but more importantly, when asked to uncork with a band he just fizzled and passed a couple of tiring horses. Would be a huge step up to factor. 5 7-5 Firing Line Stevens Stuck his neck into stakes competition in the Los Alamitos Futurity and did not disappoint. Lost in a photo to Dortmund but gained valuable experience. Even adds HOF Stevens as the jockey. Maybe not today but watch out in 2 months. Can win. 6 4-5 Dortmund Garcia Daddy Big Brown would not be disappointed by his son do date. Track record win in the Los Alamitos Futurity last out in a battle with Firing Line and Mr. Z. Undefeated in three starts and bring a great size to the track.

Robert B Lewis Stakes Breakdown and Betting

The bottom line up front here is this is a two horse race with an outside chance for a third. Right before the calendar year rolled over the Los Alamitos Futurity pitted Dortmund with Firing Line. The undefeated Dortmund was the favorite and Firing Line was making his stakes debut. They did not disappoint (with Mr. Z) in what amounted to a three-way photo finish that went to Dortmund keeping his undefeated streak alive.

Only four others were willing to climb into the starting gate in the Robert B Lewis Stakes. Of those, Rock Shandy is probably the only other horse that can take this title. He ran very well in the Sham but was a distant second to Calculator. The only way he crosses is if Firing Line and Dortmund kill each other. You can expect Rock Shandy to be right behind them. Outside of that it is on to what might be a match race.

Dortmund is getting bigger and filling out. His maturity is improving but he appears to be a curious cat who likes a target. When he has something to run at he fires but when he passes he seems to lose a little focus but his talent drives on. He will have something to run at here in the form of Firing line.

Firing Line will be firing without a doubt. He was a bob away from the Los Alamitos Futurity crown. He will be in front of Dortmund as they turn for home here at Santa Anita in the Robert B Lewis. The question is will he be able to hold off the undefeated son of Big Brown this time around. My gut says he will and when hair splitting between these two that is all it takes. If they are not a pair clear of the field at the wire I would be shocked.

Normally I would give you my best value for a $20 or $50 bet but I do not think it is wise to spend that in this race. If you still want to spend $50 I would suggest doubling up on my second choice. As always if you are struggling to raise a couple of dollars to make a bet, please don’t. Pay a bill, which is more important. Remember, this is supposed to be fun. On to my win picks and betting strategies for the 2015 Robert B Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita.