Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has won Santa Anita Park’s Robert B. Lewis Stakes on 13 occasions. In fact, the last seven renewals of the one-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve qualifier have gone to Baffert trainees.

There’s a strong chance Baffert will secure an eighth consecutive win when this year’s edition of the $100,000, Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis is contested Saturday. Three of the seven entrants hail from Baffert’s barn.

Two of the Baffert trainees have proven their worth against 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 spent much of his career competing on turf, but he’s also run well on dirt, finishing only a nose behind Desert Gate when third in the American Pharoah.

In contrast, the third Baffert runner – #3 Cherokee Nation – is winless in four starts and finished fifth in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs, his lone try against graded stakes competition. But there’s a chance he’ll outrun expectations in the Robert B. Lewis.

Cherokee Nation ran into traffic trouble during the early stages of the Kentucky Jockey Club. While trying to secure the lead on the inside, he found himself in tight quarters and had to steady sharply. That’s reason enough to forgive his poor showing.

Cherokee Nation had previously finished a pacesetting second in a one-mile maiden special weight at Santa Anita, beaten only a nose by Mr. A. P., who went on to finish second against a tough field in the Grade 1 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA.

After misfiring in the Kentucky Jockey Club, Cherokee Nation returned to Santa Anita for another one-mile maiden special weight on Jan. 9. A poor start left him at the back of a five-horse field for most of the journey, but he blazed his final quarter-mile in :23.69 to rally and finish second by half a length against #6 Robusta.

The finishing speed Cherokee Nation displayed on Jan. 9 is a sign of serious talent. With a clean break in the Robert B. Lewis, Cherokee Nation can step forward and possibly post an upset victory.

We suggest betting Cherokee Nation to win, and – if your budget is big enough – betting him over Plutarch and American Pharoah winner #4 Intrepido in an exacta.

Wagering Strategy on a $10 Budget

$10 to win on #3 Cherokee Nation

What to say at the betting window: Santa Anita, 8th race, $10 to win on 3

Wagering Strategy on a $30 Budget

$20 to win on #3 Cherokee Nation

What to say at the betting window: Santa Anita, 8th race, $10 to win on 3

$5 exacta: 3 with 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!