Trainer Bob Baffert confirmed all was well with Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) the morning after his 3 3/4-length win in Saturday's GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Baffert indicated a decision has not been made whether last year's 2-year-old champion will make one or two more starts before this year's GI Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs.
Citizen Bull, who earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure for his front-running win in the one-mile Lewis under Martin Garcia, which was his first start since winning the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on Nov. 1. With the win, Citizen Bull earned 20 additional qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby to give him 60 in all.
On Sunday, he said “we'll just wait and see” whether Citizen Bull makes another start, potentially the GII San Felipe at Santa Anita on Mar. 1, prior to the final round of Kentucky Derby preps in early April, which includes the GI Santa Anita Derby on Apr. 5.
“I need to talk it over with his racing manager [SF Racing's Tom Ryan] and we'll make a plan,” Baffert said.
Citizen Bull is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables and partners.
In addition to Citizen Bull, Baffert has another Kentucky Derby prospect in Into Michief's Barnes, who won the GII San Vicente going seven furlongs Jan. 4 at Santa Anita. Barnes will make his next start in either the GII Rebel Stakes Feb. 22 at Oaklawn Park or the San Felipe a week later, Baffert said. Both races are contested at 1 1/16 miles. It would be the first time going two turns for Barnes, owned by Zedan Racing.
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