Plutarch Edges Intrepido in Robert B. Lewis, First Stakes and Dirt Win

Plutarch, a colt by Into Mischief, edged away late from Intrepido to capture the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, prevailing by three-quarters of a length in 1:37.02 over one mile. The $100,000 race for 3-year-olds marked Plutarch’s first stakes victory and first win on dirt and moved him into a tie with Intrepido for third on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 23 qualifying points.

Intrepido, the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) winner last year, went to the lead under Hector Berrios and set the early tempo. Plutarch, ridden by Florent Geroux, tracked closely; down the backstretch and around the second turn Plutarch and Intrepido raced side by side on the front end. At the top of the stretch Plutarch began to pull clear, Intrepido battled back along the inside, and Plutarch inched away late to claim the victory by 3/4 of a length.

Geroux, who had relocated to Santa Anita from the Fair Grounds this week, described the ride: “I felt he broke very alertly for me and put me in a great spot. When I asked him to move along in the lane, he responded really well. But he waited for the horse on the inside a little bit. As soon as he came by me, my horse gave me another gear.” He also emphasized the significance of teaming with Bob Baffert: “When I came here that was what I was expecting, to be honest, to find a Derby horse. Bob is an amazing trainer, and he has won the Derby six times, so the record book speaks for itself. To have the opportunity to ride for him is a big honor.”

Hall of Famer Bob Baffert hailed the colt’s progress and scope for distance: “He keeps getting better every week. I don’t think distance will be a problem with him. This is very exciting. He’s legit.” Baffert also addressed Desert Gate’s miscue: “Desert Gate missed the break and I knew the one-hole would hurt us. I knew we were in trouble then because he is so one-dimensional.” Desert Gate, the 6-5 favorite and another Baffert trainee, finished fourth while Cherokee Nation, Baffert’s third entry, finished fifth.

Betting payouts reflected the upset elements of the race: “Plutarch paid $10.20, $3.80 and $2.80. Intrepido returned $4.60 and $3.40. Secured Freedom paid $3.80.” Plutarch and Intrepido were both listed at 4-1.

The victory also extended Baffert’s dominance in this event: the win was reported as his eighth straight in the Robert B. Lewis and 14th overall in the one-mile race for 3-year-olds, with aggregated accounts noting he has won 10 of the past 12 runnings. Owners of Plutarch were listed in photo captions as Magnier, Smith and Tabor; photo credit Benoit Photo.

Plutarch’s progression from a turf maiden win at Del Mar to a dirt stakes winner, plus the Derby points haul, makes him a name to watch as the stakes calendar heats up and connections contemplate bigger spring targets.