Tipsheet: 2025 Robert B. Lewis Stakes

A compact field of five will travel one-mile on the Santa Anita dirt in Saturday’s $200,000 Robert B. Lewis S. (G3). The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the contenders with qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis. 

Robert B. Lewis Stakes Picks

• #2 Citizen Bull
• #3 Rodriguez
• #1 Madaket Road

Robert B. Lewis Stakes Wagers

• $20 trifecta key 2 with 1,3

Robert B. Lewis Stakes Contenders

#1 MADAKET ROAD: Gray son of Quality Road finished second in the Bob Hope S. (G3) at first asking prior to graduating on the oval in his second lifetime appearance. One of three in the field for Baffert, the $650,000 yearling purchase has trained well this campaign and will be in the mix late with improvement off of his last showing. Frankie Dettori inherits the mount. 

#2 CITIZEN BULL: Champion son of Into Mischief capped last season with a pair of superb route races and kicks off his three-year-old season in a logical spot. The Baffert pupil has fired a pair of bullet morning drills leading up to this contest and will be especially tough to upend with anything resembling his top effort. Regular pilot Martin Garcia will pilot the imposing sophomore. 

#3 RODRIGUEZ: Authentic colt graduated in nice fashion at the trip and on the course most recently in his second career appearance for Baffert. The $485,000 yearling buy has good early speed and came home well in his route debut last out, and he also gives the impression of a nice prospect going forward. Kentucky-bred will have the barn’s go-to pilot Juan Hernandez in the irons. 

#4 CLOCK TOWER: Speedy sort from the Wesley Ward shedrow has posted a handful of morning moves on the strip leading up to his first run at the venue. Not This Time three-year-old will transition from the turf to the dirt, and while he is obviously talented, the gelding lands in an ambitious spot for his initial try in the Golden State. Gerardo Corrales comes out to ride. 

#5 VALENTINES CANDY: Outsider broke his maiden with maiden claiming runners two back and was last seen finishing eighth with state-bred foes at odds of 115-1 in advance of this one. Danzing Candy sophomore would be a major surprise. 

Kentucky Derby week, spring meet tickets go on sale Thursday (Jan 30, 2025) at noon!

2025 Kentucky Derby week special events:

• Opening Night: The Great Gatsby, A Louisville Legacy | Saturday, April 26
• Dawn at the Downs Dining | Sunday, April 27 and Monday, April 28
• 502’sDay: Celebrating Ali, Louisville’s Greatest | Wednesday, April 30
• Thurby / Taste of Derby | Thursday, May 1