Baffert to remove blinkers from Citizen Bull for Woody Stephens
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After initially indicating he was going to remove blinkers from Citizen Bull for the Kentucky Derby, trainer Bob Baffert said he is going to take the blinkers off the 2-year-old champion for the Grade 1, $500,000 Woody Stephens Stakes at Saratoga.
Citizen Bull, who finished 15th in the Kentucky Derby, was confirmed Friday by Baffert as a starter for the seven-furlong Woody Stephens after Citizen Bull worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 at Santa Anita.
“Draw a line through the Kentucky Derby,” Baffert said. “Without the blinkers he’s more manageable, he doesn’t have to be pedal to the metal. He breezed well.”
Baffert said Mike Smith will replace Martin Garcia on Citizen Bull, who was scheduled to ship in along with Belmont Stakes starter Rodriguez.
Baffert also plans to run Madaket Road in the Woody Stephens. Madaket Road, second to Macho Music in the Pat Day Mile on May 3, will get blinkers on for that race. Madaket Road on Thursday worked a half-mile in 47.80 seconds and was scheduled to arrive from Churchill Downs on Friday night.
John Velazquez will ride Madaket Road.
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