The 2024 Eclipse winning two-year-old CITIZEN BULL made his debut at age three in the 200,000 Grade III Robert B Lewis Stakes, at Santa Anita racetrack in Arcadia, California.
CITIZEN BULL put on a masterful performance showing why he was named champion two-year-old colt at the recent Eclipse awards held last month in January. He went on to win by an impressive 3 3/4 lengths. The colt is trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who hit the trifecta in the Lewis stakes by going 1, 2, 3 with his trio of horses with each earning Kentucky Derby points.
CITIZEN BULL racehorse sprints to the finish line in the Robert Lewis Takes
Photo Credit: Nancy Wilkinson
CITIZEN BULL was the favorite at 4-5 in a short field beating four rivals but proved to be much the best over this talented field of runners. CITIZEN BULL had a slight bobble at the breakout from the gate but recovered very quickly and, when he got to the lead in the first turn, it was safe to say the race was in hand always looking like a winner. CITIZEN BULL is owned by SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, He was ridden to victory by Martin Garcia.
CITIZEN BULL heads to the Robert Lewis Stakes winners’ circle with jockey Martin Garcia
Photo Credit: Nancy Wilkinson
The other Baffert runner RODRIGUEZ has been named a TDN rising star. MADAKET ROAD showed heart by running third, this being the order of finish. All earned Derby points of 20, 10, 6. The other two runners, CLOCK TOWER and VALENTINES CANDY gained Derby points of 4 and two, respectively.
Bob Baffert seems to be loaded with potential number of Derby starters for that first Saturday in May. The other standout in the barn is of course BARNES who most likely next start will be in The Rebel at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.
