Robert B. Lewis (GIII)

Santa Anita Park • Arcadia, CA, USA 20-10-6-4-2
February 1, 2025

Robert B. Lewis Stakes Race History 

As the third of five Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races held at Santa Anita each year, the Robert B. Lewis (G3) is a prominent steppingstone toward the “Run for the Roses,” offering 20 qualification points to the winner. 

Named in memory of businessman and racehorse owner Robert B. “Bob” Lewis, whose horses regularly ran at Santa Anita, the Robert B. Lewis is one of Santa Anita’s oldest stakes races. First run in 1935 during the track’s inaugural meet, the race was originally known as the Santa Catalina and was held under a wide variety of conditions until 1964, when it settled into its current form as a 1 116-mile race for 3-year-olds.

Since then, the Robert B. Lewis has risen steadily in prominence. An early winner of note was Sham, famous for his duels with superstar Secretariat during the 1973 Triple Crown. Between 1980 and 2019 the race produced 46 Kentucky Derby starters, averaging about one per year.

In 1986, Ferdinand became the first Robert B. Lewis participant to win the Kentucky Derby, parlaying a runner-up effort into victory under the Twin Spires. Bob Lewis’ Charismatic followed suit in 1999, improving from fifth at Santa Anita to first at Churchill Downs. Following a quieter spell, I’ll Have Another became the first horse to win both races in 2012.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert won the Robert B. Lewis eight times between 1999 and 2020, establishing a record. Retired jockeys Bill Shoemaker and Laffit Pincay Jr. share the standard for riders with seven victories apiece.

By J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

  • Subscribe to the Kentucky Derby Newsletter for Race Updates and Contender Stories

Road to the Kentucky Derby

Jerome

January 4, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Smarty Jones

January 4, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Lecomte (GIII)

January 18, 2025

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Southwest (GIII)

January 25, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Withers (GIII)

February 1, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Robert B. Lewis (GIII)

February 1, 2025

Santa Anita Park • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Holy Bull (GIII)

February 1, 2025

Gulfstream Park • Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Sam F. Davis (GIII)

February 8, 2025

Tampa Bay Downs • Tampa, FL, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Risen Star (GII)

February 15, 2025

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Hyacinth

February 16, 2025

Tokyo Racecourse • Tokyo, Japan

Points: 30-15-9-6-3

Sunland Derby (GIII)

February 16, 2025

Sunland Park • Sunland Park, NM, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

John Battaglia Memorial

February 22, 2025

Turfway Park • Florence, KY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Rebel (GII)

February 22, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes

February 26, 2025

Kempton • Sunbury-on-Thames, England, UK

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Patton

February 28, 2025

Dundalk • Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Fountain of Youth (GII)

March 1, 2025

Gulfstream Park • Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

San Felipe (GII)

March 1, 2025

Santa Anita • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Gotham (GIII)

March 1, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Tampa Bay Derby (GII)

March 8, 2025

Tampa Bay Downs • Tampa, FL, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Virginia Derby

March 15, 2025

Colonial Downs • New Kent, VA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Fukuryu

March 22, 2025

Nakayama • Funabashi, Chiba, Japan

Points: 40-20-12-8-4

Louisiana Derby (GII)

March 22, 2025

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII)

March 22, 2025

Turfway Park • Florence, KY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Arkansas Derby (GI)

March 29, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Florida Derby (GI)

March 29, 2025

Gulfstream Park • Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

UAE Derby (GII)

April 5, 2025

Meydan Racecourse • Dubai, UAE

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Santa Anita Derby (GI)

April 5, 2025

Santa Anita Park • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Blue Grass (GI)

April 5, 2025

Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Wood Memorial (GII)

April 5, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Lexington (GIII)

April 12, 2025

Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

FOLLOW FOR UPDATES AND EXCLUSIVES