Thousand Words Leads Baffert’s 1-2 Punch In Robert B. Lewis

A Grade 2 winner in his second start on Dec. 7, Bob Baffert-trained Thousand Words heads a field of six Derby hopefuls going 1 1/16 miles in Saturday’s G3, $100,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.

Also prominent are Baffert’s High Velocity, who finished third behind Thousand Words in the G2 Los Alamitos Futurity and Richard Mandella’s recent maiden winner Tizamagician, who put it all together in a 2 ½-length score going a flat mile at Santa Anita on Jan. 1.

The Lewis winner will receive 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, with four to second, two to third and one point to the fourth place finisher.

THOUSAND WORDS – Owner: Albaugh Family Stables, LLC and Spendthrift Farm, LLC; Trainer: Bob Baffert
A first-out 6 ½-furlong maiden winner as the 6-5 favorite Oct. 26, this $1 million Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate by Pioneerof the Nile pressed a fast pace over an off track in the Los Alamitos Futurity and emerged with a hard fought neck win in a game effort. Idle since, he’ll again be ridden by Flavien Prat and it looks like “All systems go,” for his third engagement on Saturday.

HIGH VELOCITY – Owner: Gary & Mary West; Trainer: Bob Baffert
A two-length first-out maiden winner going 5 ½ furlongs on Oct. 13, he then took the G3, seven furlong Bob Hope Stakes on Nov. 16 at Del Mar, going gate to wire and winning by 1 ¼ lengths. Head and head to the top of the lane with Thousand Words in the Los Alamitos Futurity, this Quality Road colt tired late to be third, beaten 5 ¼ lengths. He’ll get the first time services of leading man Joel Rosario on Saturday.

TIZAMAGICIAN – Owner: MyRacehorse.com & Spendthrift Farm, LLC; Trainer: Richard Mandella
Second in four out of his first five starts, this colt by Tiznow, in his fourth consecutive one mile maiden assignment, made short work of seven rivals here on Jan. 1, as he pressed the early pace and went on to an impressive 2 ½ length win under regular rider Victor Espinoza. With his seasoning, foundation and sharp recent win to his credit, Tizamagician has to be accorded a huge chance in the Lewis on Saturday.

G3 ROBERT B. LEWIS STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 6 of 9 Approximate post time 3 p.m. PT

Encoder—Mike Smith—124
Thousand Words—Flavien Prat—124
Tizamagician—Victor Espinoza—120
Royal Act—Abel Cedillo—120
High Velocity—Joel Rosario—120
Zimba Warrior—Jose Valdivia, Jr.—120

First post time for a nine-race card on Saturday is at 12:30 p.m., with admission gates opening at 10:30 a.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.