Kids to the Cup executive director, Johnny D., shares racing observations with KTTC members often. Check back to see what this racing veteran and freelance writer has to say!

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02/20/06

RACING, KTTC WILL MISS BOB LEWIS

By Johnny DeSantis

Dust off the old clichés.

Nicest guy you’d ever want to meet. They broke the mold when they made him. He’s a man’s man.

Pick one, any one. They all fit.

Bob Lewis was one of a kind. But, you already knew that.

Because if you’re reading this, you’re probably a Thoroughbred racing fan and have seen Bob and his wife Beverly in person at the track, on television or in the winner’s circle. They were onstage often. They won Eclipse Awards as the owners of Timber Country (1994 2-year-old male), Serena’s Song (1995 3-year-old filly), Silver Charm (1997 3-year-old male), Charismatic (1999 3-year-old male), Orientate (2002 sprinter), and Folklore (2005 2-year-old female). And they proudly accepted an Eclipse of Merit in 1997. So you’ve probably seen and heard from them before.

Well, what you saw is what you got.

Bob Lewis was about as positive a person as you’ll ever meet. Not a negative bone in his body. But he was far from a pushover. He had opinions and wasn’t afraid to voice them either. You don’t build a business like he did without a strong backbone.

And isn’t that one of the lessons he taught us without really trying; that a person can be positive, kind, generous, loving and enthusiastic without being weak. That financial success and compassion are not mutually exclusive.  

Bob Lewis meant a great deal to Kids to the Cup. He was one of our first, longest and greatest supporters—financially and otherwise.

He loved the sport of racing and realized that its future was in the hands of its youngest generations.

At the Breeders’ Cup one year, as Bob and Beverly Lewis arrived at the track, they stopped to say ‘hello’ to the Kids to the Cup contingent. After speaking with the group, signing a few autographs and posing with members for photos, Bob invited the entire group to join him in the winner’s circle.

That’s the kind of man he was. We’ll all miss him.

They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.

Race On!

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