Intrepido, Secured Freedom try to end Baffert streak in Robert B. Lewis

Feb 02, 2026 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Intrepido (left) collars Desert Gate (center) and Plutarch (right) in the American Pharoah at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Bob Baffert has won the Robert B. Lewis (G3) for seven straight years, and a grand total of 13 times overall. The Hall of Fame trainer is triple-handed in Saturday’s $100,000 renewal of the Kentucky Derby (G1) prep at Santa Anita, but his streak could be imperiled by a couple of serious contenders from rival barns.

The Jeff Mullins-trained Intrepido foiled Baffert in last fall’s American Pharoah (G1), where he rallied late to deny the odds-on Desert Gate and Plutarch. They will get a tantalizing rematch in the Lewis, which has also lured Tim Yakteen’s impressive maiden winner Secured Freedom.

Intrepido was the only American Pharoah alumnus to advance to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), but a slow start put him farther off the pace than desired. He was unable to make an impact from that position and checked in fifth. A better break on Saturday can put him back in the game.

Desert Gate would have been a prime contender for Baffert in the Breeders’ Cup, but an infection in his hock (hind leg joint) forced him out of the Juvenile. The Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman colorbearer hopes to return in strong form here, and it’s significant that jockey Juan Hernandez sticks with him. Desert Gate looked like a budding star when romping in the Best Pal (G3) over the summer, and even his subsequent seconds in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and American Pharoah were full of merit.

Stablemate Plutarch did run during the Breeders’ Cup’s “Future Stars Friday,” just not in the Juvenile. The blueblood son of Into Mischief and champion Stellar Wind switched to turf for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S. and closed for third.

Plutarch stayed on the grass for a 1 1/8-mile maiden at Santa Anita. The added distance brought out the best in him, as he powered home by 4 1/2 lengths. The Coolmore partners’ homebred reverts to dirt while shortening up to a mile in the Lewis, and he picks up a new rider in Florent Geroux.

Baffert’s third entrant, Cherokee Nation, is still a maiden after four starts. The Not This Time colt has gone close twice at this track and trip, just missing to Mr. A. P. (the eventual Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up) on Oct. 13 and to Doug O’Neill’s 24-1 shot Robusta on Jan 9. In between, Cherokee Nation tried a Road to the Kentucky Derby event, the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), and tired to fifth. Antonio Fresu gets the call aboard for the Lewis.

Secured Freedom stretches out to two turns while making his stakes debut in this spot, but his maiden score was convincing. Rolling from just off a hot pace in a 6 1/2-furlong sprint on Dec. 28, he kicked away to a 4 1/2-length decision. Kazushi Kimura retains the mount on the exciting son of Practical Joke.

𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐁𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇

𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐎𝐌, prevailed in a manner suggesting he’s a budding 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender.https://t.co/UFYxh3Apxu

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) December 30, 2025

Concluding the seven-horse field is Briggs Armypower, whose best results have come at Arapahoe Park in Colorado.

The Lewis offers points to the top five finishers according to the 20-10-6-4-2 format. As the eighth race on Saturday, it is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, and you can watch and wager at TwinSpires.com.