43-1 shot I'll Have Another took over the lead turning for home and never looked back en route to a decisive victory in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park this afternoon.
Ridden to victory by Mario Gutierrez, I'll Have Another broke well and settled into the second position early on as Isn't He Clever set a good pace of :23.03 and :46.77. Liaison was on the inside of I'll Have Another in third, followed by Groovin' Solo, Sky Kingdom, Rousing Sermon, Empire Way, and Chips All In.
Rounding the far turn I'll Have Another moved up to confront Isn't He Clever for the lead and gained it as the field swung into the homestretch. Empire Way was rallying strongly up the fence, and Liaison was trying to come on in between horses. However, the hole Liaison was gunning for closed suddenly, causing the 3-2 favorite to stumble badly and lose his rider.
Thus, I'll Have Another coasted to an uncontested four-length win, stopping the clock in 1:40.64 for a mile and a sixteenth. Empire Way finished a clear second, followed by Groovin' Solo in third and Rousing Sermon in fourth. However, after a steward's inquiry, Groovin' Solo was disqualified for causing the incident that led to Liaison losing his jockey. Thus, Rousing Sermon was moved up to third and Isn't He Clever to fourth, Sky Kingdom to fifth, Chips All In to sixth.
I'll Have Another is owned by Reddam Racing and trained by Doug O'Neill.
-Keelerman
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