Bob Baffert, the renowned horse trainer, had a remarkable weekend at Santa Anita, confirming his status as one of the top trainers gearing up for this year’s Kentucky Derby. The stakes were high, and Baffert delivered, securing victories with two of his premier contenders for both the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, showcasing the talent and potential of his horses.
On February 3rd, Baffert's stable star, Citizen Bull, made headlines with his dominant performance at Santa Anita, winning the $200,000 Grade III Robert B. Lewis Stakes by 3 3/4 lengths. This win marked Citizen Bull's first race of the 3-year-old season, building on the momentum he created by clinching victory at the Breeders' Cup. Jockey Martin Garcia noted the ease of the victory, saying, “He wasn't cranked up totally, but he is such a good horse.” Baffert celebrated the win, as this marked his 13th victory overall in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes.
Adding to Baffert’s impressive portfolio over the weekend, Tenma, another contender from his barn, claimed victory at the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Las Virgenes Stakes, triumphing by 6 1/2 lengths. After having emerged as one of the top fillies last season, Tenma showcased her strength under the guidance of jockey Juan Hernandez. Baffert singling out the improvements, mentioned, “She has come a long way,” indicating the filly's readiness for greater challenges, including the Kentucky Oaks.
Citizen Bull's standout performance is already turning heads, solidifying his position as the leading contender for the Kentucky Derby. He now holds 60 points on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” leaderboard. The joy of these results is tempered by the knowledge of how quickly standings can shift as the Derby approaches.
While Baffert’s horses drew considerable attention, competitors weren't far behind. At Gulfstream Park, Burnham Square triumphed over Tappan Street to win the $265,000 Grade III Holy Bull Stakes, adding his name to the list of Derby hopefuls, as his trainer prepares him for the upcoming Grade II Fountain of Youth.
Across the board, almost every race appears to contribute to the growing excitement around the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. Other contenders were also busy this weekend, with notable performances at Aqueduct, where Captain Cook captured the $250,000 Withers Stakes, and at Gulfstream, where success stories unfolded for both Eclatant and Volleyballprincess.
Although the road to the Derby stretches three months longer, the victories and performances witnessed this weekend undoubtedly carved initial paths for these horses. Baffert’s strategy and the preparation of Citizen Bull and Tenma have laid down promising markers, and if the current trends continue, they will be forces to be reckoned with as Derby Day approaches.
Baffert’s past experience and acute awareness of the racing circuit add layers of confidence to his candidacy for the upcoming races. He captured the essence of optimism after the races, noting, “You don't know until their next start,” underscoring how the future races often yield unexpected results.
The stakes will continue to rise as more challengers enter the race and the point totals become more significant. Baffert has clearly entered 2023 with both barrels blazing, and with the Kentucky Derby just around the corner, all eyes will be glued to his next moves.
Preparations are already underway for the substantial races coming up on the path to the Derby, with Baffert's horses slated to compete and attempt to fortify their positions on the scoreboard. Tenma, after her stellar Las Virgenes win, sits atop the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard with 33 points, showcasing the dual strength of Baffert's training and the raw talent of his equine athletes.