The Robert. B. Lewis Stakes (G3) is a Southern California Kentucky Derby (G1) prep race dominated in recent years by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the last six editions of the Lewis among his 12 victories in this Santa Anita Park race.
Baffert's last six winners all prevailed at even-money odds or less. He has three of the five runners entered in this year's Robert B. Lewis, a qualifying race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
1. Madaket Road (5-2 morning-line odds): Second in the 2024 Bob Hope Stakes (G3) in his career debut, this Quality Road colt enters off a half-length win from off the pace in a Dec. 26 maiden sprint at Santa Anita Park. Talented colt tackling two faster (on paper) Baffert stablemates.
JOCKEY: Frankie Dettori; TRAINER: Baffert
2. Citizen Bull (6-5): Last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner and champion 2-year-old male makes his 3-year-old bow. He has a grade 1 win at 1 1/16 miles on this racetrack but could face some early pressure from his outside for the lead.
JOCKEY: Martin Garcia; TRAINER: Baffert
3. Rodriguez (7-5): Front-running seven-length romp Jan. 4 at this track and distance shined a spotlight on this Authentic colt. He faces a class test here against champion stablemate Citizen Bull, but Rodriguez has the look of a special talent.
JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Baffert
4. Clock Tower (10-1): A graded stakes winner on grass who has done his best running on the turf, Clock Tower makes his third start on dirt with a second and a third in his two previous attempts. He is proven class, but the surface is a question, especially against the two directly to his inside. At least the price should be right.
JOCKEY: Gerardo Corrales; TRAINER: Wesley Ward
5. Valentines Candy (30-1): Needed eight starts to nail down his first win and then finished eighth against California-breds in his Dec. 15 stakes debut. Cannot endorse coming off that effort.
JOCKEY: Welfin Orantes; TRAINER: Jesus Mendoza
THE PICK: Rodriguez
LIVE LONGSHOT: Clock Tower
TRIFECTA: 3-2-1
