The Robert. B. Lewis Stakes (G3) is a Southern California Road to the Kentucky Derby points race named for prominent owner Bob Lewis, who along with his wife, Beverly, raced champions such as Serena's Song, Charismatic, and Silver Charm.
The Lewis has been dominated in recent years by one of the Lewis's primary trainers, Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. He has won the past seven editions of the Lewis among his 13 lifetime victories in this Santa Anita Park race, with the past seven all coming via odds-on favorites. Baffert trains three of the seven 3-year-olds entered in this year's edition, which awards qualifying points for the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) to the top five finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis.
1. Desert Gate (6-5 morning-line odds): A graded stakes winner at 2, he most recently finished second to Intrepido in the grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes in October 2025. Baffert-trained favorites have performed exceptionally well in this race, and Desert Gate looks like the one to beat.
JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Baffert
2. Plutarch (4-1): Finished in the top three in a trio of stakes in 2025, including a third in the American Pharoah behind Intrepido and Desert Gate. He comes into the Lewis off a dominant win in a 1 1/8-mile turf race and never runs a bad race. A legitimate contender.
JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Baffert
3. Cherokee Nation (5-1): A $1.15 million purchase out of the 2024 Keeneland September yearling sale, Cherokee Nation will make his fifth career start in the Robert B. Lewis in search of his first win. Ran a well-beaten fifth in the grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes in his lone previous stakes try. Prefer his two Baffert-trained stablemates to the inside.
JOCKEY: Antonio Fresu; TRAINER: Baffert
4. Intrepido (7-2): He was compromised by a slow start in a fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). Before that, Intrepido won back-to-back races, including the American Pharoah Stakes on this main track. He's worked steadily since Nov. 24 for his 3-year-old bow and should be ready.
JOCKEY: Hector Berrios; TRAINER: Jeff Mullins
5. Briggs Armypower (30-1): Won three of four starts at Arapahoe Park, including the non-listed Gold Rush Futurity, before he was eased in the non-listed Lost in the Fog Juvenile Stakes at Turf Paradise in his final start at age 2. The quality of competition increases by several levels here and speed figures indicate this is a monumental task for Briggs Armypower.
JOCKEY: Tyler Baze; TRAINER: Daniel Jensen
6. Robusta (15-1): He was unplaced sprinting in his career debut Nov. 22 behind subsequent San Vicente Stakes (G2) winner So Happy but bounced back smartly with a front-running win Jan. 9 at this track and one-mile distance. Robusta could be overlooked given the presence of the Baffert trio and grade 1 winner Intrepido. That might be a mistake.
JOCKEY: Emisael Jaramillo; TRAINER: Doug O'Neill
7. Secured Freedom (6-1): Both starts to date came sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs, most recently dominating by 4 1/2 lengths Dec. 28 on this main track. The speed figures for that win indicate he can compete with this group if he can handle the additional distance. Intriguing.
JOCKEY: Kazushi Kimura; TRAINER: Tim Yakteen
THE PICK: Intrepido
LIVE LONGSHOT: Robusta
SUPERFECTA: 4-7-2-6
