| 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 |
The Robert B. Lewis Stakes is a Grade III horse race held annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is contested by 3-year-old thoroughbreds over a distance of 1 mile and serves as a key prep race for the Kentucky Derby.
Named after prominent racehorse owner Robert B. Lewis, the event often draws horses with strong Kentucky Derby aspirations. This race is an early contender in the Kentucky Derby prep season and a popular event for online horse betting enthusiasts.
The 2026 Robert B. Lewis Stakes was originally scheduled to take place on January 31st, but has been postponed due to Winter Storm Fern, a powerful winter weather system currently impacting large portions of the United States with heavy snow, ice, extreme cold, widespread power outages, and major travel disruptions. Winter Storm Fern has led to canceled flights, hazardous road conditions, state emergency declarations, and interruptions to public events, prompting organizers to reschedule the race for February 7th while ensuring the safety of participants, staff, and spectators.
Over the years, several notable horses have triumphed in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, particularly older winners who have made a mark in racing history. Among them, Ferdinand, who won in 1986 and later secured the Kentucky Derby title, stands out as a legendary figure.
Other notable winners include Pioneerof the Nile (2009), who would go on to sire the 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, and I'll Have Another, who captured the race in 2012 before winning the Derby. More recently, Medina Spirit, trained by Bob Baffert, won in 2021, though his legacy became complicated due to post-race controversies.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Plutarch | Florent Geroux | Bob Baffert | 1:37.20 |
| 2025 | Citizen Bull | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 1:36.71 |
| 2024 | Nysos | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert | 1:36.65 |
| 2023 | Newgate | Lanfranco Dettori | Bob Baffert | 1:43.11 |
| 2022 | Messier | John R. Velazquez | Bob Baffert | 1:42.89 |
| 2021 | Medina Spirit | Abel Cedillo | Bob Baffert | 1:46.26 |
| 2020 | Thousand Words | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert | 1:43.64 |
The Robert B. Lewis Stakes is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering qualifying points to the top finishers. Horses that win or place in this race often move on to other key prep races, building momentum toward the Kentucky Derby.
