Intrepido (Maximus Mischief), an upset winner of the GI American Pharoah S. at Santa Anita last fall, kicks off his sophomore campaign in Saturday's GIII Robert B. Lewis S. at Santa Anita.
The 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' won the American Pharoah by three-quarters of a length over the re-opposing Desert Gate (Omaha Beach). It was another nose back to Plutarch (Into Mischief) in third that day.
Intrepido, a $30,000 KEESEP yearling turned $385,000 OBSAPR breezer, followed with a disappointing fifth at 5-1 in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar. He is owned in partnership by Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures and is trained by Jeff Mullins.
Hall of Famer Bob Baffert has won the Lewis 13 times and has won the last seven renewals.
He trains the aforementioned rail-drawn 6-5 morning-line favorite Desert Gate, Plutarch and the maiden of four career starts Cherokee Nation (Not This Time).
Last year's runaway GIII Best Pal S. winner Desert Gate hasn't raced since the American Pharoah, his first attempt around two turns.
Plutarch made two subsequent starts on grass, including a last- out maiden win at Del Mar Nov. 30.
Cherokee Nation, a $1.15-million Keeneland September yearling, was second behind Robusta (Accelerate) in a maiden special weight over track and trip Jan. 9.
The Robert B. Lewis offers 20-10-6-4-2 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Santa Anita's nine-race program also features the return of GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint heroine Splendora (Audible) in the GII D. Wayne Lukas S. and the GIII Thunder Road S., headed by Gas Me Up (Hard Spun).
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