INTREPIDO & DESERT GATE - American Pharaoh 2025 - Benoit Photo
Santa Anita’s winter spotlight turns to sophomores on Saturday as the Grade III, $100,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes anchors the Road to the Kentucky Derby on the West Coast. Contested at one mile on dirt, the Lewis offers Derby qualifying points (20-10-6-4-2) and, more importantly at this stage, a first meaningful measuring stick as leading juveniles return for their three-year-old debuts.
This year’s edition brings a strong narrative thread: the top three finishers from last fall’s Grade I American Pharoah Stakes—Intrepido, Desert Gate, and Plutarch—all reconvene here to launch their 2026 campaigns.
A Proven Juvenile Form Line Returns
Intrepido (Jeff Mullins) headlines the field after winning the 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah by three-quarters of a length over Desert Gate. A son of Maximus Mischief, Intrepido capped his two-year-old season with a respectable fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar. Purchased for $385,000 at the OBS April Sale, he reunites with Hector Berrios and carries 124 pounds, the highweight of the field—an assignment that underscores his status but adds a layer of challenge.
Desert Gate (Bob Baffert) makes his long-awaited return after that narrow American Pharoah defeat, which came in his first try around two turns. Previously, the Omaha Beach colt proved his class sprinting with a Grade III Best Pal victory and a runner-up finish in the Grade I Del Mar Futurity. Owned by Pegram-Watson-Weitman and bought for $260,000 at OBS April, Desert Gate retains Juan Hernandez and carries 120 pounds.
Plutarch (also Baffert) finished third, beaten less than a length, in the American Pharoah and subsequently showed versatility on turf, including a maiden-breaking win at 1 1/8 miles at Del Mar. By Into Mischief and owned by the Coolmore partners, Plutarch adds intrigue as he returns to dirt with Florent Geroux—newly based at Santa Anita—taking the call, also at 120 pounds.
Lightly Raced Upside Players
Two recent maiden winners step up with momentum:
- Robusta (Doug O’Neill), a Calumet Farm homebred by Accelerate, went gate-to-wire when stretching to a mile on January 8. Emisael Jaramillo stays aboard, and the colt carries 120 pounds.
- Secured Freedom (Tim Yakteen), by Practical Joke, impressed graduating at 6½ furlongs on December 28. Saturday marks his first two-turn attempt. Kazushi Kimura rides at 120 pounds.
The field is rounded out by Cherokee Nation (Antonio Fresu, 120) and Briggs Armypower (Tyler Baze, 120), each looking to leverage tactical positioning in a compact lineup.
Projected Pace & Race Shape
With no confirmed burner, the pace projects honest rather than fast. Robusta has shown natural speed and could control terms if left alone. Desert Gate and Intrepido figure to sit just off the lead, poised to strike turning for home, while Plutarch profiles as a stalker with stamina, especially if the tempo softens early. The weight differential—Intrepido conceding four pounds to most rivals—adds a subtle chess match late.
Why the Lewis Matters
Historically, the Robert B. Lewis has served as a launchpad to the San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby, rewarding horses that combine early speed with the ability to finish. Saturday’s result won’t crown a Derby favorite, but it will clarify pecking order among a talented West Coast group and set the agenda for the spring.
Post Positions, Jockeys & Weights
(Race 8 of 9 — Approx. Post: 4:00 p.m. PT)
- Desert Gate — Juan Hernandez — 120
- Plutarch — Florent Geroux — 120
- Cherokee Nation — Antonio Fresu — 120
- Intrepido — Hector Berrios — 124
- Briggs Armypower — Tyler Baze — 120
- Robusta — Emisael Jaramillo — 120
- Secured Freedom — Kazushi Kimura — 120
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