A Sweet Win for Candy Boy

In his last start, Candy Boy took second billing behind an Eclipse Award-clinching performance from Shared Belief. On Saturday, it was Candy Boy who emerged on the scene.

Rating behind a solid early pace under jockey Gary Stevens, the John Sadler trainee rallied to take the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. In doing so, the son of Candy Ride earned 10 2014 Kentucky Derby points.

Diamond Bachelor broke sharply and assumed command going into the first turn. He was eventually joined by Chitu, while heavy favorite (and Chitu's stablemate in Bob Baffert's barn) Midnight Hawk stalked three-wide and Candy Boy settled behind the leaders on the rail. As the field turned for home, though, Diamond Bachelor conceded the lead, setting the stage for a thrilling stretch run.

Chitu, who was trying two turns for the first time, dug down deep to repel Midnight Hawk, who could not get by. Candy Boy, though, had swung out to the middle of the track and would prove a tougher adversary, and despite Chitu's strong effort, the latecomer edged by in the final sixteenth and prevailed by a half-length.

The Lewis was the second win in six lifetime starts for Candy Boy, who stopped the timer in 1:41.83 for the 1 1/16-mile distance. His career earnings now sit at $305,600, with the lion's share having come in his last two outings. Meanwhile, the victory cemented a great afternoon for Sadler, who also won the Grade 2 San Marcos Saturday with Vagabond Shoes.

Chitu's four Kentucky Derby points put him on the board, while Midnight Hawk, who won the Grade 3 Sham last month, added two points to his total, which is now 12. Diamond Bachelor hung on for fourth for the final Derby point dispersed, and he may be headed back to the turf, possibly his preferred surface.

The next Derby prep on the schedule at Santa Anita is the Grade 2 San Felipe, which will take place on March 8th. It carries 85 Derby points, 50 of which will go to the winner.