Point Determined Wins One for Lewises

The 3-year-old colt Point Determined, whose prominent owner, Bob Lewis, died earlier in the day, gave an indication of his value as a $750,000 investment with a victory in the feature race at Golden Gate Fields Friday.

Lewis, one of the most successful owners in Thoroughbred racing, died of heart failure Friday morning at the age of 81 at his home in Newport Beach. Although still green at this juncture, Point Determined is a candidate for this year's Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Lewis captured the Derby in 1997 with Silver Charm and in 1999 with Charismatic.

Lewis, who shared ownership of racehorses with his wife, Beverly, bought Point Determined as a 2-year-old for $750,000. Point Determined earned his second win in four starts when he overcame a slow start and a wide trip to win Friday's one-mile allowance test for 3-year-olds in 1:36.12 on a track rated wet-fast.

Southern California-based Bob Baffert, who employed Russell Baze to ride his colt at Golden Gate Fields, trains Point Determined.

"They told me he was a big, lazy horse but he'd do something when I asked him," said Baze. "When I gave him a crack (with the whip), he responded."

Point Determined defeated Passive Income by 1 1/2 lengths and paid $2.40 as the 1-to-5 favorite in a field of five. Dr. Einstein finished third.

Point Determined was bred in Maryland and is a son of 2001 Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Point Given  . Point Determined is expected to face stakes competition in his next start.

(Chart, Equibase)