Citizen Bull made quite the impression at Santa Anita Park last Saturday, triumphing with authority in the $200,000 Robert Lewis Stakes—a victory by 3 ¾ lengths signaling his return to form on the path to the Kentucky Derby. The win was particularly special for the 3-year-old colt trained by the renowned Bob Baffert, as it marked his first race since capturing the Breeders' Cup Juvenile title last November.
Ridden by jockey Martin Garcia, Citizen Bull went gate-to-wire, demonstrating remarkable speed with a time of 1:36.71. His performance didn’t just earn him bragging rights; it also secured him 20 valuable qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby set for May. Following this victory, Citizen Bull stands at the top of the points leaderboard with 60 points, more than his competitors.
"The champ is back," Baffert proclaimed, reflecting on the impressive performance of his star colt. Baffert has now won the Robert Lewis Stakes 13 times overall and claimed the title for the seventh straight year. "It’s funny, you see him and you don’t realize he has those gears. He won’t show you this in the morning, but he does have gears," he added, emphasizing Citizen Bull's potential.
The race began with Citizen Bull bobbling slightly out of the gates yet quickly regaining momentum to assume the lead on the inside. "When I was warming him up, he just wanted to go and you could see he was ready," Garcia said. His confidence was evident, as he noted, "When the gates opened, it was like the ground broke underneath him. He just broke too fast, but right away he recovered. That was impressive."
Citizen Bull was not alone on the track, competing against fellow Baffert trainees Rodriguez and Madaket Road, who finished second and third respectively. Rodriguez, who had shown promise before this race, could not keep pace with the dominant Citizen Bull.
The win at the Robert Lewis Stakes not only revives expectations for Citizen Bull’s three-year-old season but also provides insights for trainers and fans keeping an eye on the Kentucky Derby trail. Citizen Bull has evidently improved since his 2-year-old championship title, coming off with great workouts leading up to this event.
Looking at the performance overall, Citizen Bull's time was commendable as he carved out quarter splits of :23.27, :47.06, and :10.99, progressively accelerating and showcasing why he remains on the Derby radar.
While Citizen Bull has made significant headway, his competition must ramp up as the Derby approaches. Other serious contenders like Burnham Square have shown promise as well, particularly with Burnham's recent victory at the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream, where he also earned valuable Derby points. Such performances signal the competitive nature of this year's chase.
For those who have been following the three-year-old season, the excitement is palpable. The stakes are high, and the field is brimming with talented contenders. With Citizen Bull's impressive return and existing accolades, all eyes will be on him leading up to the Derby as racing fans wonder if he can convert his potential wins on the track to success at Churchill Downs.
Bob Baffert is no stranger to the Derby spotlight, and his ability to train contenders has been proven time and again. Keep watching as more races pan out, and don’t be surprised to see Citizen Bull holding the title of favorite as the Kentucky Derby nears. Racing enthusiasts eagerly await to see if this champion will keep the momentum rolling or if fresh faces will rise to challenge his reign.