There’s a good chance Baffert will earn an eighth straight win when this year’s edition of the $100,000 Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis is contested Saturday. Three of the seven participants come from Baffert’s barn.
Two of the Baffert trainees have proven their worth in the Grade 1 competition. #1 Desert Gate won his first two starts, including the Grade 3 Best Pal Stakes, before finishing second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity and Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes Presented by DK Horse. #2 Plutarch has fought on artificial turf for much of his career, but he also performs well on dirt surfaces, finishing just a nose behind Desert Gate when third in the American Pharoah.
The third Baffert runner, on the other hand – #3 Cherokee Nation – is winless in four starts and finished fifth in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs, his only effort against graded stakes competition. But there’s a chance he’ll exceed expectations in the Robert B. Lewis.
Cherokee Nation encountered traffic problems in the early stages of the Kentucky Jockey Club. While trying to secure the lead on the inside, he found himself in tight conditions and had to maintain sharp stability. That’s reason enough to forgive his poor performance.
Cherokee Nation had previously finished second in a one-mile special weight at Santa Anita, beaten only by a nose by Mr. AP, who went on to finish second in a tough field in the Grade 1 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by TAA.
After a failed attempt at the Kentucky Jockey Club, Cherokee Nation returned to Santa Anita on Jan. 9 for another first one-mile special weight. A poor start left him at the back of a five-horse field for most of the journey, but he rode his final quarter mile in:23.69 to rally and finish second by half a length to #6 Robust.
The finishing speed that Cherokee Nation showed on Jan. 9 is a sign of serious talent. With a clean break in the Robert B. Lewis, Cherokee Nation can take a step forward and possibly pull off an upset victory.
We recommend betting on Cherokee Nation to win, and – if your budget is big enough – betting it on Plutarch and the American Pharoah winner #4 Fearless is precise.
Betting strategy with a $10 budget
$10 to win on #3 Cherokee Nation
What to say at the betting window: Santa Anita, 8th race, $10 to win at 3
Betting strategy with a $30 budget
$20 to win on #3 Cherokee Nation
What to say at the betting window: Santa Anita, 8th race, $10 to win at 3
$5 exacta: 3 by 2.4 ($10)
What to say at the betting window: Santa Anita, 8th race, $5 exacta 3 with 2.4
Good luck and enjoy the race!
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