The Robert. B. Lewis Stakes is a Southern California Kentucky Derby prep race that has been dominated in recent years by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the last six editions of the Lewis among his 12 lifetime victories in this Santa Anita Park race.

Baffert’s last six winners all prevailed at even-money odds or less and he has three of the five runners entered in this year’s Robert B. Lewis, which awards qualifying points for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis.

1. Madaket Road (5-2 morning-line odds): Second in the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes in his career debut, Quality Road colt enters off a half-length win from off the pace in a Dec. 26 maiden sprint at Santa Anita. Talented colt tackling two faster (on paper) Baffert stablemates.

JOCKEY: Frankie Dettori; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

2. Citizen Bull (6-5): Last year’s FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA winner and champion 2-year-old male makes his 3-year-old bow. 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: Bob Baffert

3. Rodriguez (7-5): Front-running seven-length romp Jan. 4 at this track and distance shined a spotlight on this Authentic colt. Faces class test here against champion stablemate Citizen Bull, but Rodriguez has the look of a special talent. 

JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob 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. Proven class but surface 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