The eyes of the thoroughbred world fixate on Santa Anita Park this weekend as the 2026 Robert B. Lewis Stakes takes center stage. This Grade 3 event represents a critical junction on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering a total of 42 qualifying points to the top five finishers. As an international horse racing and off-track betting specialist, I have analyzed the nuances of this field to help you navigate the Robert B. Lewis Stakes odds. The race serves as a definitive proving ground for sophomores looking to solidify their standing before the spring classics.
Santa Anita Park, often called "The Great Race Place," provides a spectacular backdrop for this eight-furlong test on the dirt. Fans can catch the action live through various mobile betting platforms, such as BUSR Experience. The schedule for the afternoon is packed with stakes action, but the Lewis remains the undisputed highlight for those looking to bet on Robert B. Lewis Stakes contenders. Whether you are a seasoned handicapper or a casual fan, understanding the history and current form of these athletes is the first step toward a winning ticket.
The 2026 Robert B. Lewis Stakes anchors a massive Saturday card at Santa Anita Park on February 7, 2026. While the race was initially rumored to move to an earlier slot, the official calendar confirms the first Saturday in February as the definitive date for this $1,000,000 classic. The race is carded as the eighth event on a nine-race program, with an estimated post time of 4:05 PM PT (7:05 PM ET). This timing allows bettors across all time zones to engage with the Robert B. Lewis Stakes betting markets before the sun sets over the San Gabriel Mountains.
Arriving early at the track or logging into your preferred online racebook is essential, as the undercard features the G2 D. Wayne Lukas Stakes and the G3 Thunder Road Stakes. The sequence of high-caliber races creates a "Super Saturday" atmosphere that rivals any major racing festival. You should ensure your account is funded and ready well before the Lewis field steps onto the track, as the Robert B. Lewis Stakes odds often fluctuate rapidly in the final ten minutes of wagering.
Mother Nature appears to be smiling upon Arcadia for this year's renewal of the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Current forecasts indicate a perfect Southern California afternoon with sunny skies and a high temperature of 23°C (approximately 73°F). A light western wind at 5 mph will barely ruffle the manes of the contenders, providing a fair and stable environment for every runner in the gate. The low humidity of 45% ensures that the track will likely be labeled as "Fast" throughout the entire Saturday program.
A fast dirt surface at Santa Anita typically favors horses with tactical speed who can sit just off the lead or dictate the fractions. With no rain in the immediate forecast for Saturday, we do not expect a muddy or "off" track to compromise the Robert B. Lewis Stakes betting strategies. This consistency allows speed figures and past performances on dry dirt to be taken at face value. Trainers like Bob Baffert and Doug O'Neill often excel in these conditions, as they prepare their charges to handle the high-speed requirements of the Santa Anita main track.
The Robert B. Lewis Stakes is the crown jewel of a weekend that defines the early-season pecking order in California. Saturday's eighth race is preceded by a series of maiden special weights and high-level stakes that provide clues about the track's bias. Race 6, the $200,000 D. Wayne Lukas Stakes, features a compact but explosive field that will test the dirt sprinters. Meanwhile, the Thunder Road Stakes in Race 5 offers a mile on the turf, showing the versatility of the Santa Anita facility.
Bettors looking to maximize their weekend returns should look at the multi-race wagers, such as the Pick 3 or Pick 5, which culminate in the Lewis. The Robert B. Lewis Stakes odds will be the anchor for many horizontal tickets, especially with a heavy favorite like Desert Gate looming. Sunday also holds significant value with the Las Virgenes Stakes for three-year-old fillies. This deep weekend schedule provides a wealth of opportunities for those who bet on Robert B. Lewis Stakes cards and the surrounding races.
Formerly known as the Santa Catalina Stakes, this race was renamed in 2007 to honor the legendary owner Robert B. Lewis. Lewis, along with his wife Beverly, campaigned iconic champions like Silver Charm and Charismatic. The race has a storied history of producing Triple Crown stars. In 1973, the great Sham won this race before his epic battles with Secretariat. In more recent times, Medina Spirit (2021) and I'll Have Another (2012) used this race as a springboard to Kentucky Derby glory.
Bob Baffert’s dominance in this event is nothing short of historic, having secured the trophy 13 times, including the last seven consecutive editions. Recent winners like Citizen Bull (2025) and Nysos (2024) demonstrated the sheer power of the Baffert stable in this specific prep. When you analyze the Robert B. Lewis Stakes betting history, it is impossible to ignore the trend of Baffert-trained favorites crossing the wire first. This legacy adds a layer of prestige and pressure to every horse that enters the starting gate on Saturday.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Citizen Bull | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine | 1:36.71 |
| 2024 | Nysos | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert | Baoma Corp | 1:36.65 |
| 2023 | Newgate | Frankie Dettori | Bob Baffert | SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables, Schoenfarber, Jay A., Waves Edge Capital & Catherine Donovan | 1:43.11 |
| 2022 | Messier | John R. Velazquez | Bob Baffert | SF Racing, Starlight Racing, & Madaket Stables | 1:42.89 |
| 2021 | Medina Spirit | Abel Cedillo | Bob Baffert | Zedan Racing Stables | 1:46.26 |
| 2020 | Thousand Words | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert | Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm | 1:43.64 |
The 2026 edition features a field of seven highly talented sophomores, each with a unique path to this Grade 3 encounter. The Robert B. Lewis Stakes odds suggest a showdown between proven stakes winners and rising maiden graduates. We see a clash of styles, with pure speed types like Robusta likely to challenge the stalking ability of Desert Gate and Intrepido. The one-mile distance is often a "bridge" distance (long enough to test stamina but short enough for a high-quality miler to dominate).
Handicapping this race requires a look beyond the raw numbers. We must consider the "Baffert Tax," where the odds on his runners are shorter than their actual probability of winning due to public perception. However, his record in this race justifies the respect. The presence of Jeff Mullins' Intrepido, a Grade 1 winner, provides the most significant hurdle for the Baffert trio. If you plan to bet on Robert B. Lewis Stakes outcomes, you must decide if you trust the favorite to return from a layoff or if you prefer a horse with more recent racing fitness.
| PP | Horse | Odds | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desert Gate | 6/5 | Bob Baffert | Juan J. Hernandez |
| 2 | Plutarch | 4/1 | Bob Baffert | Florent Geroux |
| 3 | Cherokee Nation | 5/1 | Bob Baffert | Antonio Fresu |
| 4 | Intrepido | 7/2 | Jeff Mullins | Hector I. Berrios |
| 5 | Briggs Armypower | 30/1 | Daniel M. Jensen | Tyler Baze |
| 6 | Robusta | 15/1 | Doug F. O’Neill | Emisael Jaramillo |
| 7 | Secured Freedom | 6/1 | Tim Yakteen | Kimura Kazushi |
Desert Gate enters the Robert B. Lewis Stakes as the 6-5 morning-line favorite for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. This son of Omaha Beach boasts a high rating of 7.49 and will be guided by Santa Anita's leading rider, Juan J. Hernandez. His last start was a narrow second-place finish in the 2025 Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes, where he posted a massive 104 speed figure. Despite not racing since October, his work tab suggests he is ready to fire a big effort off the bench.
He possesses natural tactical speed and should be able to secure a perfect stalking position from the rail. His victory in the Best Pal Stakes as a juvenile proved he has the elite gears required to compete at the highest level. Most Robert B. Lewis Stakes odds analysts view him as the "most likely winner" given Baffert’s impeccable record with returning stakes stars. If he breaks cleanly, he will be very difficult to pass in the deep stretch of the Santa Anita homestretch.
Plutarch is another formidable Baffert trainee, sired by the prolific Into Mischief. He carries a 6.89 rating and will have the services of top-tier jockey Florent Geroux. This colt is coming off a dominant maiden victory on November 30, where he posted a 108 figure, the highest in the field. Although that win came on the turf, his third-place finish in the American Pharoah proves his dirt credentials are legitimate.
The Robert B. Lewis Stakes betting public may be wary of his recent turf form, but Geroux’s decision to ride suggests high confidence. Plutarch is a versatile runner who can adapt to various paces, making him a dangerous threat if the frontrunners duel too fiercely. At 4-1, he offers significantly more value than his stablemate and could easily provide Baffert with yet another Lewis trophy. His pedigree suggests he will relish the one-mile distance as he matures.
Cherokee Nation, a son of Not This Time, represents the third prong of the Baffert attack. Despite a 6.23 rating and still being a maiden, he commands respect due to his $1.15 million price tag and his recent second-place finish at Santa Anita. Jockey Antonio Fresu will attempt to orchestrate a breakout performance for this bay colt. In his last start, he finished only half a length behind Robusta, gaining significant ground in the final furlong.
While some might hesitate to bet on Robert B. Lewis Stakes maidens, Cherokee Nation has shown flashes of elite talent that suggest he belongs in this company. He likely needs a faster pace to close into, and with speed to his inside and outside, he might get the setup he requires. If he can overcome his tendency for slow starts, he could blow the Robert B. Lewis Stakes odds wide open. He is a "must-use" for any exotic tickets involving the trifecta or superfecta.
Intrepido is the "spoiler" in the Baffert narrative, trained by Jeff Mullins and ridden by Hector I. Berrios. With the highest rating in the field at 7.74, he is the only Grade 1 winner in the lineup. His victory in the 2025 American Pharoah Stakes was a masterclass in grit, as he turned back both Desert Gate and Plutarch. His subsequent fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile came against the best horses in the world, and this represents a significant class relief.
Berrios knows this horse perfectly and will likely sit just behind the early leaders. Intrepido has a proven ability to handle the 1 1/16-mile distance, so the one-mile trip on Saturday should be well within his wheelhouse. If you are looking for a primary alternative to the favorite in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes odds, Intrepido is the logical choice. He is battle-tested and possesses the mental fortitude required to win a high-stakes Derby prep.
Briggs Armypower enters as the rank outsider for trainer Daniel M. Jensen and jockey Tyler Baze. This son of Army Mule has a 0.00 rating and is coming off a disappointing 10th-place finish in the Lost in the Fog Juvenile Stakes. While his early career at Arapahoe Park showed promise, he has yet to prove he can compete with Grade 1 and Grade 3 talent in Southern California.
His Robert B. Lewis Stakes odds of 30-1 reflect the massive step up in class he faces on Saturday. He will likely need a total collapse of the favorites and a career-best performance just to hit the board. However, horse racing is a sport of surprises, and Baze is a veteran rider who can coax the best out of a longshot. For most Robert B. Lewis Stakes betting enthusiasts, he remains a "toss" in a field of this quality.
Robusta is the "buzz" horse for the Doug O'Neill stable, coming off a gate-to-wire maiden win on January 9 at Santa Anita. Ridden by Emisael Jaramillo, this son of Accelerate holds a 6.12 rating and has shown significant improvement with every start. He recently defeated Cherokee Nation in a gritty performance that highlighted his high cruising speed. He is the projected pace setter for this race.
His 15-1 Robert B. Lewis Stakes odds make him an enticing "Live Longshot" for those who believe he can steal the race on the front end. If Jaramillo can relax him through the first half-mile, he might have enough left to fend off the Baffert closers. He represents the classic "speed of the speed" angle that often works at Santa Anita. If you bet on Robert B. Lewis Stakes underdogs, Robusta offers the best combination of form and price in the entire field.
Secured Freedom rounds out the field for trainer Tim Yakteen and jockey Kimura Kazushi. This son of Practical Joke was highly impressive in his last start, winning a maiden special weight by 4 1/2 lengths with a massive 117 speed figure. While he has only raced in sprints, his physical frame and pedigree suggest he can handle the stretch out to a mile. He enters with a 0.00 rating only because his stakeholder experience is nonexistent.
The Robert B. Lewis Stakes odds of 6-1 might be generous for a horse that posted such a high figure in his last outing. He will likely break from the outside and attempt to drop in behind the leaders. If he can replicate his late kick at two turns, he is a major threat to the top choices. He is the "wildcard" of the race, and many expert analysts are keeping a close eye on his warm-up. He could easily be the most talented horse in the race if his stamina holds.
The 2026 Robert B. Lewis Stakes is a fascinating puzzle with multiple layers of talent. Our primary recommendation is to look at the exacta involving Desert Gate and Intrepido, as they are the most accomplished runners. However, for those seeking a higher payout, using Robusta or Secured Freedom in the underneath spots of a trifecta could be lucrative. The Robert B. Lewis Stakes odds currently favor the Baffert powerhouse, but the parity in speed figures suggests an upset is within the realm of possibility.
Ensure you check the late Robert B. Lewis Stakes betting trends before placing your final wagers. Sometimes a late "ship" of money toward a specific horse can indicate confidence from the backstretch. This race is more than just a betting opportunity; it is a glimpse into the future of the 2026 Triple Crown trail. By analyzing the trainers, jockeys, and official odds, you are now equipped to make an informed decision when you bet on Robert B. Lewis Stakes glory this Saturday at Santa Anita.
The finish line is calling, and the 2026 Robert B. Lewis Stakes is ready to deliver a heart-pounding spectacle that you simply cannot afford to miss. With a field this deep and the Kentucky Derby leaderboard hanging in the balance, every stride counts toward racing immortality. Grab your binoculars, sharpen your pencils, and join us at the Great Race Place for an afternoon of elite thoroughbred action. Whether you’re backing a Baffert favorite or hunting for a longshot hero, the road to the Roses starts right here, so don’t wait, get in on the winning today.
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.
