Medina Spirit Exits Robert B. Lewis in Good Order

In a performance even possibly more surreal than Authentic 's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) triumph, Medina Spirit upstaged Bob Baffert's newly-minted Horse of the Year Jan. 30, staring defeat in the eye down the homestretch and refusing to blink, holding off two pursuers through the last quarter-mile to win the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) in a stretch run for the ages at Santa Anita Park. 

Even Baffert thought he wasn't going to win after Roman Centurian and Hot Rod Charlie hooked pacesetting Medina Spirit at the head of the stretch. As it was, Medina Spirit—who led virtually from the start after breaking from the rail—prevailed by a short neck over Roman Centurian, with Hot Rod Charlie a nose back in third.

"I thought he was beat," Baffert said after the race.

All was well the next day, however, with Baffert's record ninth Lewis triumph safely in the archives.

"He was gutty as could be, showed some grit, and that's what you want to see," Baffert said Sunday morning. "He's got game. He beat a good field and the California horses (on the Triple Crown trail) are pretty strong."

Baffert now has the enviable but challenging assignment of deciding on Medina Spirit's next race, as he must with individual Kentucky Derby Future Book Wagering favorite and Sham Stakes (G3) winner Life Is Good, among others in his barn of well-stocked sophomore bluebloods.

"We'll just go week by week," Baffert said. "I don't really plan anything out. I'll wait a couple weeks before I decide. As a matter of fact, I wasn't even going to run in the Lewis until the last minute. I decided I liked the way (Medina Spirit) worked, put him in there, didn't want to be sitting on him, breezing him. Sometimes they get hurt just working them, so I'd just rather put a race into him.

"We're learning about the horse. It wasn't an ideal way for him to run that way yesterday (on the lead from the rail), but his hand was sort of set from the start when he broke a little slow and (jockey Abel Cedillo) couldn't really take him back. He never had a chance to really get him out like he did the last time (when second to Life Is Good in the Sham).

"There was a lot of speed yesterday, and from a different post he could have relaxed more. But it was good for him, he got something out of it and showed there's a lot of quality.

"It puts him right up with what's out there now. We still haven't seen any American Pharoahs or Justifys yet, but Medina Spirit's win makes Life Is Good look better, too.

"This next couple months you'll see a lot of horses change."

As to Spielberg, who finished a disappointing fourth when beaten just over 11 lengths, Baffert said, "He was never really in it. He didn't like dirt in his face. He didn't show up, but they'll do that."

O'Neill Proud of Hot Rod Charlie's Lewis

Santa Anita training leader Doug O'Neill was more than pleased with Hot Rod Charlie's 3-year-old debut in the Lewis, in which the colt ran a game third to Medina Spirit, beaten a neck and a nose for all the money.

"Hot Rod Charlie came out of the race in great shape," O'Neill said. "We're so proud of him. He got a 91 Beyer in his return and ran a real game race against other really top 3-year-olds.

"I haven't really decided where we'll go next, but we're excited to get him back and kind of bridge the gap from where he left off in the Breeders' Cup."

Hot Rod Charlie was second at 94-1 to Essential Quality, the 2020 champion 2-year-old male, in the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1).

Meanwhile, O'Neill's 14-length maiden winner The Great One is set for the Marhc 6 San Felipe Stakes (G2).

"He's doing super," O'Neill said.

O'Neill also has Brilliant Cut ticketed for this Saturday's Las Virgenes Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies at one mile. The daughter of Speightstown  will be making her first start beyond seven furlongs.

"She's doing well and acts like two turns won't be a problem, but you never know until you try," O'Neill said. "She's in good form right now."