Road to the Kentucky Derby > Robert B. Lewis Stakes
Robert B Lewis Stakes Race Facts
- Location: Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, CA
- Inaugural Race: 1935
- Distance: 1 1/16 miles (8.5 furlongs)
- Track Type: Left-handed, Dirt
- Age Qualifications: Three-year-olds
- Status: Grade 3
- 2023 Purse: $200,000
- 2023 Race Date: Saturday, February 4th
The Robert B. Lewis Stakes held at Santa Anita Racecourse in Arcadia, California boasts of early February points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The allocation for the top five finishers is 20-8-6-4-2 points.
2023 Robert B. Lewis Stakes Race Results
| POST | HORSE | JOCKEY / TRAINER | WIN / PLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Newgate | Lanfranco Dettori / Bob Baffert | $4.00 / $2.60 |
| 4 | Hard to Figure | Ramon A. Vazquez / Bob Baffert | $5.20 |
| 3 | Juan J. Hernandez | Juan J. Hernandez / Bob Baffert | |
| 1 | Arabian Lion | John R. Velazquez / Bob Baffert |
Exotic Payoffs:
- $1 Exacta (12-4) Paid: $13.70
- $0.50 Trifecta (2-4-3) Paid: $18.60
Watch the 2023 Robert B. Lewis Stakes
History of the Robert B. Lewis Stakes
The Robert B. Lewis Stakes is a Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race held annually in late January or early February at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA. The race is open to 3-year-olds and is the second Derby prep at Santa Anita to start the New Year. The race is held at Santa Anita Racecourse in Arcadia, California boasts of early February points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The allocation for the top five finishers is 20-8-6-4-2 points. The Grade III race at 1 1/16 miles (8.5 furlongs) has a current purse of $200,000 and is also a key prep race for the Santa Anita Derby in early April.
The Robert B. Lewis stakes was originally called the Santa Catalina Handicap in 1935. In 2007, it was renamed to honor the prominent racehorse owner and philanthropist who died in 2006.
The speed record for the 1 1/16 mile race is 1:40.76 set by Crown of Thoms in 2008. Jockeys Bill Shoemaker and Laffit Pincay Jr. have both won the race a record seven times, with their last wins coming in 1988 and 1989 respectively. Bob Baffert, who was the regular trainer for Lewis, has won the race a record eleven times. His most recent win came in 2023, his fifth victory in a row!
Notable winners of the Robert B. Lewis Stakes include Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand (1986, Bill Shoemaker), Sham (1973 when Laffit Pincay, Jr. won the race a third straight time), Dortmund (2015, trainer Bob Baffert), Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I’ll Have Another (2012), and Pioneer of the Nile (2009 with the late Garrett Gomez riding for Bob Baffert). Pioneer of the Nile finished 2nd in the Kentucky Derby and was the sire of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
Other Robert B. Lewis Stakes winners that also won the Santa Anita Derby include: Sham (1973), An Act (1976), Larry the Legend (1995), General Challenge (1999), The Deputy (2000), Brother Derek (2006) and I’ll Have Another (2012).
Bob and Beverly Lewis were generally beloved and admired, and they graced the sports with a rare brand of dignity and class. The race named in Bob’s honor represents his wisdom, class and character, and his love for the sport, California racing and the Kentucky Derby.
Robert B. Lewis Stakes Past Winners
| Year | Winner | Jockey / Trainer | Distance (Miles) / Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Newgate | Lanfranco Dettori / Bob Baffert | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.11 |
| 2022 | Messier | John R. Velazquez / Bob Baffert | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.89 |
| 2021 | Medina Spirit | Abel Cedillo / Bob Baffert | 1 1⁄16 / 1:46.26 |
| 2020 | Thousand Words | Flavien Prat / Bob Baffert | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.64 |
| 2019 | Mucho Gusto | Joe Talamo / Bob Baffert | 1 1⁄16 / 1:41.81 |
| 2018 | Lombo | Flavien Prat / Michael Pender | 1 1⁄16 / 1:45.41 |
| 2017 | Royal Mo | Victor Espinoza / John Shirreffs | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.48 |
| 2016 | Mor Spirit | Gary Stevens / Bob Baffert | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.21 |
| 2015 | Dortmund | Martin Garcia / Bob Baffert | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.20 |
| 2014 | Candy Boy | Gary Stevens / John W. Sadler | 1 1⁄16 / 1:41.83 |
| 2013 | Flashback | Julien Leparoux / Bob Baffert | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.95 |
| 2012 | I'll Have Another | Mario Gutierrez / Doug O'Neill | 1 1⁄16 / 1:40.84 |
| 2011 | Anthony's Cross | Joel Rosario / Eoin G. Harty | 1 1⁄8 / 1:48.63 |
| 2010 | Caracortado | Paul Atkinson / Michael Machowsky | 1 1⁄16 / 1:41.75 |
| 2009 | Pioneerof the Nile | Garrett Gomez / Bob Baffert | 1 1⁄16 / 1:41.90 |
| 2008 | Crown of Thorns | Victor Espinoza / Richard Mandella | 1 1⁄16 / 1:40.76 |
| 2007 | Great Hunter | Corey Nakatani / Douglas F. O'Neill | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.89 |
| 2006 | Brother Derek | Alex Solis / Dan L. Hendricks | 1 1⁄16 / 1:41.96 |
| 2005 | Declan's Moon | Victor Espinoza / Ronald W. Ellis | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.41 |
| 2004 | St Averil | Tyler Baze / Rafael Becerra | 1 1⁄16 / 1:41.62 |
| 2003 | Domestic Dispute | David R. Flores / Bob Baffert | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.20 |
| 2002 | Labamta Babe | Kent Desormeaux / Robert J. Frankel | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.50 |
| 2001 | Millennium Wind | Chris McCarron / David Hofmans | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.38 |
| 2000 | The Deputy | Chris McCarron / Jenine Sahadi | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.04 |
| 1999 | General Challenge | Gary Stevens / Bob Baffert | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.93 |
| 1998 | Artax | Chris McCarron / Randy Bradshaw | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.32 |
| 1997 | Hello | Chris McCarron / Ron McAnally | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.60 |
| 1996 | Prince of Thieves | Gary Stevens / D. Wayne Lukas | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.94 |
| 1995 | Larry the Legend | Kent Desormeaux / Craig A. Lewis | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.93 |
| 1994 | Wekiva Springs | Kent Desormeaux / Robert Hess Jr. | 1 1⁄16 / 1:41.94 |
| 1993 | Art of Living | Gary Stevens / Gary Jones | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.48 |
| 1992 | Vying Victor | Corey Black / Ian P. D. Jory | 1 1⁄16 / 1:44.33 |
| 1991 | Mane Minister | David R. Flores / J. Paco Gonzalez | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.60 |
| 1990 | Music Prospector | Frank Olivares / Steve Miyadi | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.60 |
| 1989 | Flying Continental | Laffit Pincay Jr. / Jay M. Robbins | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.60 |
| 1988 | Lively One | Bill Shoemaker / Charles Whittingham | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.40 |
| 1987 | Stylish Winner | Gary Stevens / Bruce Headley | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.80 |
| 1986 | Ferdinand | Bill Shoemaker / Charles Whittingham | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.00 |
| 1985 | Floating Reserve | Laffit Pincay Jr. / Joseph Manzi | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.60 |
| 1984 | Tights | Rafael Meza / Laz Barrera | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.60 |
| 1983 | Fast Passage | Ed Delahoussaye / Laz Barrera | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.60 |
| 1982 | Water Bank | Darrel McHargue / Ron McAnally | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.40 |
| 1981 | Stancharry * | Laffit Pincay Jr. / Melvin F. Stute | 1 1⁄16 / 1:41.40 |
| 1980 | Super Moment * | Donald Pierce / Ron McAnally | 1 1⁄16 / 1:44.40 |
| 1980 | Rumbo * | Bill Shoemaker / Thomas Bell Jr. | 1 1⁄16 / 1:44.60 |
| 1979 | Pole Position | Chris McCarron / George E. Goodwin | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.00 |
| 1978 | Johnny's Image | Sandy Hawley / Mike R. Mitchell | 1 1⁄16 / 1:44.00 |
| 1977 | Text | Donald Pierce / Vincent Clyne | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.00 |
| 1976 | An Act | Laffit Pincay Jr. / Ron McAnally | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.00 |
| 1975 | Kinalmeaky | Bill Shoemaker / Lester Holt | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.80 |
| 1974 | Rube the Great | Angel Santiago / Pancho Martin | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.00 |
| 1973 | Sham | Laffit Pincay Jr. / Pancho Martin | 1 1⁄16 / 1:45.00 |
| 1972 | Knightlander | Laffit Pincay Jr. / Paul K. Parker | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.40 |
| 1971 | Unconscious | Laffit Pincay Jr. / John G. Canty | 1 1⁄16 / 1:41.80 |
| 1970 | Colorado King, Jr. | Bill Shoemaker / Charles Whittingham | 7-fur. / 1:25.00 |
| 1969 | Inverness Drive | Bill Shoemaker / Joseph Manzi | 1 1⁄16 / 1:44.80 |
| 1968 | Prince Pablo | Johnny Sellers / Linwood J. Brooks | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.60 |
| 1967 | Serve Notice | Ismael Valenzuela / Ted Saladin | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.60 |
| 1966 | Exhibitionist | Eddie Belmonte / Hirsch Jacobs | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.20 |
| 1965 | Arksroni | Art Sherman / Frank E. Childs | 1 1⁄16 / 1:42.80 |
| 1964 | Count Charles | Manuel Ycaza / Charles Whittingham | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.20 |
| 1963 | Sea Orbit | Raymond York / John M. Leavitt | 1 1⁄8 / 1:49.00 |
| 1962 | New Policy | Bill Shoemaker / John H. Adams | 1 1⁄8 / 1:48.40 |
| 1961 | T. V. Lark | Eddie Arcaro / Paul K. Parker | 1 1⁄8 / 1:49.00 |
| 1960 | American Comet | Tommy Barrow / Martin L. Fallon | 1 1⁄8 / 1:47.60 |
| 1959 | Terrang | William Boland / Carl A. Roles | 1 1⁄8 / 1:48.60 |
| 1958 | Terrang | William Boland / Carl A. Roles | 1 1⁄8 / 1:49.20 |
| 1957 | Honeys Alibi | Johnny Longden / Lev Fanning | 1 1⁄8 / 1:48.80 |
| 1956 | Guerrero | Johnny Longden / Graceton Philpot | 1 1⁄8 / 1:50.00 |
| 1955 | Golden Abbey | Johnny Longden / Reggie Cornell | 1 1⁄8 / 1:48.80 |
| 1954 | Stranglehold | Billy Pearson / Red McDaniel | 1 1⁄8 / 1:52.60 |
| 1953 | Blue Reading | Billy Pearson / Red McDaniel | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.80 |
| 1952 | Lion | William M. Cook / Hugh Brundage | 1 1⁄8 / 1:51.80 |
| 1951 | Your Host | Eric Guerin / Harry L. Daniels | 1 1⁄8 / 1:48.20 |
| 1950 | Moonrush | Eddie Arcaro / Willie Alvarado | 1 1⁄8 / 1:51.40 |
| 1949 | Stepfather | Eddie Arcaro / Wayne B. Stucki | 1 1⁄8 / 1:48.80 |
| 1948 | On Trust | Johnny Longden / William Molter | 1 1⁄8 / 1:50.80 |
| 1947 | See-Tee-See | Ralph Neves / Art Gruber | 1 1⁄8 / 1:50.60 |
| 1946 | Nanby Pass | Charley Stevenson / Sam Sechrest | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.80 |
| 1945 | Sea Sovereign | Ferrill Zufelt / Bud Stotler | 1 1⁄16 / 1:43.80 |
| 1944 | No race | No Race / No Race | no race / 0:00.00 |
| 1943 | No race | No Race / No Race | no race / 0:00.00 |
| 1942 | No race | No Race / No Race | no race / 0:00.00 |
| 1941 | Sweepida | Ralph Neves / Larry R. Staples | 1 1⁄16 / 1:48.00 |
| 1940 | Valdina Myth | Eugene Rodriguez / John J. Flanigan | 3-fur. / 0:33.20 |
| 1939 | Brown Jade | John H. Adams / Ross E. Cooper | 1 1⁄8 / 1:52.00 |
| 1938 | Lady Florise | Lester Balaski / George W. Glick | 1 1⁄16 / 1:45.60 |
| 1937 | Lloyd Pan | Harry Richards / H. B. Thomas | 1 1⁄16 / 1:48.00 |
| 1936 | No race | No Race / No Race | no race / 0:00.00 |
| 1935 | Bluebeard | Harry Richards / Clyde Phillips | 1-mile / 1:40.00 |