Robert Lewis Stakes next for Tapizar

Tapizar, winner of the Grade 3 Sham Stakes in his stakes debut at Santa Anita on Jan. 15, will make his next start in the $250,000 Robert Lewis Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 12, trainer Steve Asmussen said Wednesday.

Tapizar won the Sham Stakes over 1 1/16 miles by 4 1/4 lengths, leading throughout. Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Tapizar won a maiden race at Churchill Downs by 10 1/2 lengths on Nov. 27, his fourth career start.

Asmussen said the Grade 2 Robert Lewis Stakes is an attractive option because clear weather is forecast in Southern California for the next 10 days, allowing for uninterrupted training. Tapizar breezed a half-mile in 50.40 seconds on Monday, his first workout since Sham Stakes.

“You don’t want to stop and wait when the forecast looks smooth,” Asmussen said. “I loved his work and the way he’s doing.”