Lewis Bay showed no signs of rust when she returned from a thirteen-month layoff to win the G3 Rampart Stakes by one length at Gulfstream Park.
The four-year-old daughter of Bernardini was already a multiple Graded Stakes winner, having notched victories in Graded Stakes such the G2 Demoiselle and G2 Gazelle. Her last start prior to her layoff was a narrow neck loss in the G3 Comely at Aqueduct.
Despite the long layoff, Lewis Bay was sent off as the slight favorite in the field seven. Breaking alertly under Irad Ortiz Jr., Lewis Bay went to the lead at the start. She was soon joined by multiple Graded Stakes winner Curlin’s Approval, and the duo ran as a team through the first half-mile of the race.
Lewis Bay began to edge past her rival on the far turn, and continued to hold her advantage as the field entered the homestretch. In the final furlong Lewis Bay began to pull away, finally crossing the wire a length in front while under a hand-ride.
Racing as a homebred for Alpha Delta Stables, Lewis Bay is out of the Summer Squall mare Summer Raven, winner of the G3 Tempted Stakes. Lewis Bay is a half-sister to Winslow Homer, winner of the G3 Holy Bull Stakes, and Misconnect, winner of the G3 General George Stakes.
Bernardini is enjoying yet another successful season in 2017 with 12 black-type winners to date, including Graded Stakes winners Takaful (G1 Vosburgh), Imperative, Le Bernardin, and Watershed.
Bernardini will stand the 2018 season at Jonabell Farm for a fee of $85,000.
