The Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita is one of the track’s oldest stakes events and a significant prep on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1), offering the top five finishers 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points on a sliding scale to make the gate on the first Saturday in May.
Inaugurated in 1935 during Santa Anita’s opening meet as the Santa Catalina Handicap, the race has undergone several name changes and format adjustments over the decades. It was briefly known as the Santa Catalina California-Bred Championship Stakes from 1937-1939, then the Santa Catalina Nursery Stakes in 1940 as a short sprint for 2-year-olds, before reverting to the Santa Catalina Handicap in 1941 and eventually becoming the Santa Catalina Stakes in 1964, when it settled into its modern form as a one-mile test for 3-year-olds.
In 2007, it was renamed to honor prominent thoroughbred owner Robert B. Lewis, who passed away in 2006 and, along with his wife Beverly, campaigned champions like Serena’s Song, Silver Charm, and Charismatic. The race has produced notable Kentucky Derby contenders and winners, including Sham (1973), who famously dueled with Secretariat; Ferdinand (1986), the first participant to win the Derby after finishing second in the prep; Pioneerof the Nile (2009); I’ll Have Another (2012); and recent standouts like Medina Spirit (2021), Nysos (2024) and Citizen Bull (2025).
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has dominated in recent years, securing 13 victories, including the last seven through 2025, often with odds-on favorites.
On Saturday, the $100,000 event features a field of six colts and one ridgling set to run, with Baffert again entering three contenders in what shapes up as a competitive early Derby qualifier.
A chestnut colt by Omaha Beach out of Theogony is trained by Baffert for the Three Amigos -- Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman. This speedy type has shown a preference for leading or pressing the pace in his four starts, which is highlighted by a win in the Best Pal Stakes (G3) and runner-up efforts in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and American Pharoah Stakes (G1). He tired in the American Pharoah, which questions stamina at longer distances. He heads to post under Juan Hernandez as the 6-5 morning-line favorite but may need to ration his speed early. A win positions him as a serious West Coast-based Derby trail threat.
A bay colt by Into Mischief and out of champion Stellar Wind is another Baffert trainee and owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael B. Tabor, with recent Southern California transplant Florent Geroux set to ride at 4-1 morning-line odds. He employs a closing style, as seen when breaking his maiden over the turf last out and also three back on dirt, where he rallied along the inside for a third in the American Pharoah, beaten just three-quarters of a length while a nose behind stablemate Desert Gate.
His regal pedigree suggests upside, as does returning to dirt for this spot. He shouldn’t be overlooked and has solid upset potential if the pace heats up, bolstered by Baffert’s dominance in the Lewis.
The Jeff Mullins-trained Intrepido, a ridgling by Maximus Mischief, will have jockey Hector Berrios up, is the field’s lone graded winner, and was given 7-2 morning line odds. His tactical style has proven dangerous, upsetting Desert Gate and Plutarch by three-quarters of a length in the American Pharoah before finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). This slight drop in class could spark a rebound, and he is definitely a top choice to challenge the Baffert trio, with strong chances for victory if he recaptures his Grade 1 form.
Secured Freedom, at 6-1, is a mid-pack stalker who impressed when breaking his maiden last out six weeks ago, exploding in the lane to win going away by 4 1/4 lengths at 6 ½ furlongs after his debut fourth. The Practical Joke colt, who is trained by Tim Yakteen for Leslie A. Amestoy, Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr., and Roger K. Beasley, will have Kazushi Kimura aboard, and though he carries a sprinter's pedigree, he also owns untapped potential stretching out. If he adapts well to the distance, he could challenge the favorites and secure his first Derby points.
The maiden Cherokee Nation, a $1.15 million Keeneland yearling, rounds out Baffert’s trio for owners SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, and partners, with Antonio Fresu aboard at 5-1.
This late-running son of Not This Time has flashed strong closing kicks in his four maiden outings, most notably gaining 4 1/2 lengths in the final furlong of a 1-mile Santa Anita maiden special weight last out, finishing a close second despite a troubled start and slow pace. His chances hinge on better luck and a hot early pace, and he’s a live longshot and could break through and earn Derby points with a cleaner trip.
Briggs Armypower will have Tyler Baze aboard and is a 30-1 morning line longshot. The Army Mule colt, who is conditioned by Daniel Jensen for owner Kevin Chris Fullmer, is likely headed right to the front based on his three sprint wins at Arapahoe, including the Gold Rush Futurity. Unfortunately, his speed figures overall lag behind the best in this field, and though clearly loaded with heart, his chances appear slim stepping up in class and distance, though he could factor for exotics if allowed an easy lead.
Doug O’Neill and Calumet Farm send out the Accelerate colt Robusta with a morning line assignment of 15-1. He displayed pace-setting ability in his two career starts, wiring the field to beat Cherokee Nation by half a length in a one-mile Santa Anita maiden last out, benefiting from soft fractions. His best chance at a win depends on replicating that uncontested lead, but pressure from speed like Briggs Armypower and Desert Gate could compromise him. Regardless, he has upset potential if the race shape favors him. Emisael Jaramillo rides.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
