Robert B Lewis Stakes

On a Saturday that included bi-coastal graded stakes for sophomores, the most emphatic performance on the GI Kentucky Derby trail was orchestrated in a first-level allowance race at Gulfstream Park by Tapit Trice (Tapit). It wasn't just the eight-length blowout margin of victory or the 92 Beyer Speed Figure that made the athletic gray's effort stand out. It's the fluid, three-race progression and unruffled demeanor that suggests Tapit Trice is ascending his developmental arc while honing an air of confident capability. A $1.3 million KEESEP yearling owned in partnership by...

Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm's $1-million Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile) provided Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert with his 3,000th career victory--and eighth in this race--with a gutsy effort in Saturday's GIII Robert B. Lewis S. at Santa Anita. A debut winner sprinting here Oct. 26, he was last seen besting GI TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Anneau d'Or (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 7 and was pounded down to 3-5 to remain unbeaten. Breaking in slightly, the bay was unhurried early by Flavien...