Looking to Upset the Favorites in Robert B. Lewis

Rock Shandy (left) has a chance to upset Dortmund (center) and Firing Line (right) in the Bobert B. Lewis Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita Park. (Photos by BENOIT photo, Eclipse Sportswire and Eclipse Sportswire)
The 2015 edition of the $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes drew a small, but talented field of six runners, including the top two finishers from the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity, Dortmund and Firing Line.
Dortmund drew an outside post that should allow him drop in and establish a good position entering the first turn behind the pacesetters. Unbeaten in three starts, he’s done nothing wrong to this point in his career, and he will be the one to beat. Bob Baffert began the meet on a slow note but now has his barn firing on all cylinders.
Firing Line gave Dortmund a good run for his money in their most recent matchup before ending up on the losing end of the photo finish. That was his first try stretching out beyond sprint distances, and he has plenty of upside to improve in his second start around two turns. He’s the main speed of the field in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis and might find himself on a lonely lead if the inside horse, Tizcano, decides to sit back.
Although Dortmund and Firing Line gave us one of the most exciting finishes of 2014 in the Los Alamitos Futurity, I thought the effort from Dortmund wasn’t as strong as I was expecting. I thought Dortmund was in prime position to draw away that day, and he just seemed to plug along down the lane.
The other runner who deserves respect is Rock Shandy, who was last seen running a clear second behind the now sidelined Calculator in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes. That was Rock Shandy’s first try on the dirt after running his first three starts on the turf. He broke well, showed speed and was able to relax behind the pacesetters. He looked to steady a bit while waiting for room around the turn and chased Calculator home after that runner got the jump on him.
There is plenty of room for improvement for Rock Shandy, and I think he can sit a good pace-pressing trip. He’s my top choice to win.
Looking at the rest of the field, I think this is strictly a three-horse race and can’t really see any of the others winning this race.
Betting Strategy on a $20 budget
$10 exacta: 2 with 5,6
$150,000 Robert B. Lewis StakesSanta Anita Park, Saturday, Race 5, 5:30 p.m. ET1 1/16 miles, dirt, 3-year-olds 

PP

Horse

Jockey

Trainer

Morning Line

1

Tizcano

Martin A. Pedroza

Peter Miller

15-1

2

Rock Shandy

Victor Espinoza

Peter Miller

6-1

3

Sebastian's Heart

Agapito Delgadillo

George Papaprodromou

30-1

4

Hero Ten All

Tyler Baze

Jeff Mullins

10-1

5

Firing Line

Gary L. Stevens

Simon Callaghan

7-5

6 

Dortmund

Martin Garcia

Bob Baffert

4-5

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