Newgate wins Robert Lewis S. (G3), punctuates incredible day for Into Mischief

When Newgate captured Saturday’s $200,000 Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) at Santa Anita Park for his first graded stakes victory, it marked the third Kentucky Derby (G1) prep race winner of the day for Into Mischief.

Earlier in the day at Gulfstream Park, Into Mischief accounted for Holy Bull S. (G3) winner Rocket Can and Swale S. (G3) winner General Jim.

Newgate, the even-money favorite, was last of the four through the first half-mile, with Arabian Lion setting the pace of :47.76. Newgate was never more than a couple of lengths of the lead and inched closer while wide on the turn. Hard to Figure took the lead turning for home, with Newgate right on his outside. The duo battled through the stretch and Newgate got the better of his stablemate in the final sixteenth to win by a neck in 1:43.11 on a fast track.

“Frankie Dettori has been teaching him how to just sit back, relax and come with a punch and that’s what he did today,” said trainer Baffert of the winner. “Newgate, before when we were sending him, he wasn’t finishing. I wasn’t sure how far he wanted to go. “I was actually nervous before the race, worried that something weird might happen, but I can relax now.”

Newgate is owned by the conglomerate of SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC & Catherine Donovan.

Prior to Saturday’s win, Newgate placed second in both the Bob Hope S. (G3) and Sham S. (G3). He is 2-2-0 in six starts and has earned $241,975.

Newgate was bred in Kentucky by Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC and sold to his owners for $850,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling sale.

Into Mischief, who is the four-time reigning champion sire, has started off on a torrid pace in 2023, already racking up six stakes winners, four of them graded, and more than $2.6 million in progeny earnings to date.