It's all Bull on Kentucky Derby leaderboard

Feb 03, 2025 at 09:02 pm by Danny Brewer

photo by Benoit

  Right now, on the Kentucky Derby qualifying points leaderboard, it is all Bull.

  A points qualifying system is used to determine the 20 entrants into the world’s most famous race each year. Races are run beginning in September of the preceding year with the top finishers awarded accordingly. As we draw closer, the races become more valuable. As of the beginning of February, the horse sitting atop the standings is Citizen Bull.

  Entering 2025, Citizen Bull was considered one of the frontrunners for that oh so coveted blanket of roses. Named as the two-year-old champion for 2024, this son of Into Mischief was dominant in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to close the year.

  As we have all become aware, things can change rapidly in the game of Thoroughbred racing. Questions abounded about Citizen Bull as the calendar turned to 2025. Some horses improve as they get older while others do not. Making his seasonal debut in the grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita on February 1, this Bob Baffert trainee solidified his spot in the Catbird seat.

  Breaking alertly under jockey Martin Garcia, Citizen Bull worked his way to the lead. Guiding a five-horse field through solid early fractions (23.27 opening quarter, 47.06 half mile), Baffert’s charge maintained a slight advantage until the horses turned for home. Charging into the stretch, the Bull bolted away from his challengers. Crossing the wire a geared down 3 ¾ lengths to the good, Citizen Bull looked every bit the best.

  “I was very impressed by the way Citizen Bull just kept going”, says Bob Baffert, who has won more Kentucky Derbies than anyone. “He really needed the race.”

  The win in the Lewis marked his fourth triumph in five lifetime starts and pushed his career earnings to just over $1.4 million. Citizen Bull has 60 Kentucky Derby points and his next start is to be determined.

ADVERTISEMENT

 

 

 

 

Sections: Sports Brew