Study Guide: 2026 Robert B. Lewis Stakes

Feb 03, 2026 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Desert Gate winning the Best Pal (G3) at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photo)

California’s first Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier of 2026 is Saturday’s $100,000 Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita.

Seven horses have entered the 1 1/16-mile race, which awards 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualification points to the top five finishers.

Let’s examine the Robert B. Lewis field:

Desert Gate

Desert Gate winning the Best Pal (G3) at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman
Breeder: Twin Oaks Bloodstock
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernandez

Top Speed Rating: (98) when finishing second in the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $246,000

Sire: Omaha Beach
Dam: Theogony
Color: Chestnut

Desert Gate showed talent against tough competition last year, finishing second in the American Pharoah (G1) and Del Mar Futurity (G1). But both his wins have come in sprints, and he tired in the final furlong of the 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah. The one-mile distance of the Robert B. Lewis may be at the upper end of his distance capabilities.

Plutarch

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

Start(s): 5
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 2

Owner: Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael B. Tabor
Breeder: Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Top Speed Rating: (98) when finishing third in the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $132,000

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Stellar Wind
Color: Bay

Plutarch has been racing on grass as of late, but he’s also shown ability on dirt. In the American Pharoah last fall, he closed ground along the inside to finish third, beaten only three-quarters of a length for first place. He finished only a nose behind runner-up Desert Gate and shouldn’t be underestimated while returning to dirt for the Robert B. Lewis.

Cherokee Nation

Start(s): 4
Wins: 0
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
Breeder: Fortune Farms, William and Corinne Heiligbrodt
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Antonio Fresu

Top Speed Rating: (99) when finishing second in a Santa Anita maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $42,605

Sire: Not This Time
Dam: Believe in Charlie
Color: Bay

Cherokee Nation might be winless in four starts, but last time out, he was beaten only half a length in a one-mile maiden special weight at Santa Anita. He was compromised by a poor start and a slow pace, but finished fast down the homestretch, gaining 4 1/2 lengths through the final furlong alone. A little better luck in the Robert B. Lewis could allow Cherokee Nation to challenge for victory at enticing odds.

Intrepido

Intrepido wins the American Pharoah at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Dutch Girl Holding and Irving Ventures
Breeder: Sierra Fria Farm
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Jockey: Hector I. Berrios

Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $292,800

Sire: Maximus Mischief
Dam: Overly Indulgent
Color: Bay

Intrepido is the most accomplished horse in the Robert B. Lewis field. Last fall, he defeated Desert Gate and Plutarch by three-quarters of a length in the American Pharoah. A subsequent fifth-place finish against fierce competition in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) can be overlooked since the Robert B. Lewis is an easier spot. A big rebound may be in the offing.

Briggs Armypower

Start(s): 5
Wins: 3
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Kevin Chris Fullmer
Breeder: Calumet Farm
Trainer: Daniel Jensen
Jockey: Tyler Baze

Top Speed Rating: (82) when winning an allowance at Arapahoe.
Total Earnings: $38,482

Sire: Army Mule
Dam: Powertap
Color: Dark bay/brown

Briggs Armypower has won three times sprinting at Arapahoe, most notably taking the Gold Rush Futurity. But his career-best 82 Brisnet Speed rating looks light against the Robert B. Lewis field.

Robusta

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Calumet Farm
Breeder: Calumet Farm
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo

Top Speed Rating: (88) when winning a maiden special weight at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $42,500

Sire: Accelerate
Dam: Urbane Legend
Color: Dark bay/brown

Robusta led all the way to defeat Cherokee Nation by half a length in a recent one-mile maiden special weight at Santa Anita. However, he benefited from setting a slow pace and may face early pressure from Desert Gate in the Robert B. Lewis.

Secured Freedom

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Leslie A. Amestoy, Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr., and Roger K. Beasley
Breeder: Audley Farm Equine
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura

Top Speed Rating: (95) when winning a maiden special weight at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $45,600

Sire: Practical Joke
Dam: Securely
Color: Bay

Secured Freedom was much the best when last seen in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Santa Anita, pulling away in the homestretch to dominate by 4 1/4 lengths. The 95 Brisnet Speed rating he posted is promising. If Secured Freedom improves at all while stretching out over one mile, he has a chance to challenge for victory.

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