Kentucky Derby 2025: Citizen Bull works seven furlongs at Santa Anita

While trainer Bob Baffert shipped Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez to Kentucky on Tuesday, he kept Citizen Bull back in California. On Wednesday at Santa Anita, the 2-year-old champion worked seven furlongs in 1:24.30 in preparation for the Kentucky Derby.

It was the third work in 11 days for Citizen Bull, who on April 13 went a half-mile in 47.60 seconds and on April 18 drilled six furlongs in 1:11.80. In the April 18 work, Citizen Bull started five lengths behind a workmate before finishing a length or so in front at the wire.

In Wednesday’s work, Citizen Bull went by himself and was timed by clocker Toby Turrell in splits of 23.60 seconds, 35.00, and 1:11.70 before galloping out a mile in 1:40.

Baffert felt he ran a short horse in the Santa Anita Derby, a race where Citizen Bull finished fourth. That came two months after he won the Robert Lewis on Feb. 1 at Santa Anita.

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“I didn’t want to put three races into him. I wanted him ready for the Derby and Preakness and all that,” Baffert said. “He looks tighter. Now he looks ready for the Santa Anita Derby.”

Baffert had jockey J.J. Hernandez work Citizen Bull on Wednesday. Hernandez had worked him earlier this winter and told Baffert he noticed a fitter horse Wednesday.

“He said, man, he felt like a different horse,” Baffert said. “He said last time [he worked him], he was fat. Now he looks good. He’s such a good-feeling horse, he got a good strong work out of it and, more importantly, he’s very happy.”

Baffert said he would work Citizen Bull once at Churchill at the beginning of next week. Citizen Bull, who will have blinkers removed for the Derby, was scheduled to ship from California to Kentucky on Thursday. Martin Garcia will ride Citizen Bull in the Derby.

Rodriguez, who will be ridden by Mike Smith in the Derby, is expected to work over the weekend at Churchill.

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