Intrepido Makes 3-Year-Old Debut in Robert B. Lewis Stakes

Intrepido is set to kick off his sophomore campaign in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, a one-mile, $100,000 feature at Santa Anita on Feb. 7, with Hector Berrios named to ride for trainer Jeff Mullins. The Maximus Mischief colt arrives with credentials that make him the one to beat: a win in last year’s Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita, a $385,000 purchase at the OBS April sale, and career earnings of $292,800.

Intrepido won the 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah by three-quarters of a length over Desert Gate and then closed his juvenile campaign with a fifth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, finishing fifth on Oct. 31. His preparation for the Lewis has been methodical. TDN called him a "TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard" and reported he "led a busy Saturday work tab at Santa Anita Park" while Americasbestracing noted that "He’s worked steadily since Nov. 24 for his 3-year-old bow and should be ready." News1st highlights the weight assignment challenge: Intrepido "gives 4 pounds to each rival Saturday, carrying high weight of 124 pounds."

The Lewis turns into an instant rematch series. Desert Gate, by Omaha Beach for owners Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman and trained by Bob Baffert, was narrowly beaten by Intrepido in the American Pharoah and brings sprint-bred credentials including a G3 Best Pal Stakes win and a runner-up effort in the G1 Del Mar Futurity. Juan Hernandez will take the mount on Desert Gate. Plutarch, the Into Mischief-Stellar Wind colt ridden by Florent Geroux for Baffert, finished a close third in the American Pharoah and adds a turf-winning recent form line, having broken his maiden on grass.

Bob Baffert fields a three-pronged attack in the Lewis, and News1st frames the margin of history on the line, reporting that Baffert "aims for an eighth straight victory in the Lewis and record-padding 14th of his career." That barn advantage, plus Florent Geroux relocating from the Fair Grounds to Santa Anita this week to take the Plutarch mount, underscores the human logistics that still shape early-season stakes.

Other contenders with upside include Robusta, who turned a front-running trip into a one-mile Santa Anita victory Jan. 9 and is listed as a live longshot by Americasbestracing, and Tim Yakteen’s Secured Freedom, a Practical Joke colt stretching out after a 4 1/2-length win at six and a half furlongs. Americasbestracing lists Intrepido at a morning-line 7-2, Secured Freedom 6-1, Robusta 15-1 and Briggs Armypower 30-1, naming Intrepido "THE PICK" and advising a superfecta construction.

Beyond the form book, this renewal of the Robert B. Lewis illustrates broader industry currents: big investments in 2-year-olds in training sales, early sophomore tests at established Southern California tracks, and the continuing imprint of superstar trainers on graded stakes paths. For bettors and fans tracking the Triple Crown trail, Intrepido’s run at Santa Anita will reveal how a Grade 1-winning juvenile handles a return to a one-mile test under top weight and pressure from familiar rivals. The Lewis should sort early pecking order among Santa Anita sophomores and set storylines to follow as the spring stakes calendar unfolds.