Bob Baffert is the subject of much discussion lately. Indeed, many enthusiasts of horse racing eagerly anticipate his return to Churchill Downs, where he aims to secure that elusive seventh Kentucky Derby victory. Nevertheless, he will face significant challenges ahead. Baffert is currently navigating a multitude of obstacles on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, as evidenced by the latest performances of his horses. Did you watch the Arkansas Derby?
The Grade 1 race at Oaklawn Park was about to showcase the prowess of Baffert’s Cornucopian. However, have you heard? The three-year-old colt managed to secure a fourth-place finish, accumulating 15 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But who emerged victorious in the race and secured an impressive 100 points? It was Mark Casse’s Sandman. This situation proved to be quite a setback for Baffert, as he had high hopes for Cornucopian.
Nevertheless, there remains a glimmer of hope for him to ascend the leaderboard, as evidenced by the impressive workout of one of his leading horses. On X, horse racing photographer J. McLaughlin Safford shared several images of Citizen Bull, accompanied by a caption that read, “Bullet 5F in 58.40 for Citizen Bull this morning with Juan Hernandez in the Irons for HoF trainer Bob Baffert.”
Amidst a flurry of competitors in the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby, Citizen Bull remains firmly at the forefront, boasting an impressive tally of 60 points. It’s important to highlight that the horse has not competed for quite some time. This workout demonstrates that the three-year-old colt retains his speed, suggesting that Bob Baffert could anticipate impressive outcomes from him down the line. Is he participating in any specific race? Not quite.
Bullet 5F in 58.40 for Citizen Bull this morning with Juan Hernandez in the Irons for HoF trainer Bob Baffert @santaanitapark @StarlightRacing @MadaketStables @BobBaffert @JJHernandezS19 @KentuckyDerby pic.twitter.com/W30Xv3DY9r
— J McLaughlin Safford (@kimo16) March 29, 2025
At present, Citizen Bull remains in the stables, yet the moment will arrive when Baffert decides to put him to the test. The three-year-old colt has maintained an impressive winning streak since last year’s Del Mar Futurity, and Baffert is eager to see his horse sustain this momentum. But what really transpired in the Arkansas Derby?
Didn’t go the way Bob Baffert anticipated
Recall the moment when Bob Baffert remarked, “Him being the favorite? I don’t know about that. I don’t think he should be the favorite because he has just one out. Coal Battle should be the favorite. I think he might end up the favorite. He’s a good horse and that Sandman’s a good horse. Grade 1s are always tough, but they’re supposed to be tough.”
The 72-year-old trainer was aware of the buzz surrounding his horse, Cornucopian, yet he never imagined he would emerge as the race favorite. He foresaw that Coal Battle and Sandman would present significant challenges, and indeed, they lived up to that expectation during the race. Sandman delivered an exhilarating performance at Oaklawn Park. Under the guidance of Mark Casse and with Jose Ortiz in the saddle, the three-year-old finished the 1 1/8-mile race on a fast track in 1:50.08, solidifying his status as a top contender for the Kentucky Derby by amassing an impressive 100 points. What is his total?
At present, he leads the pack with a total of 129 points. Flavien Prat’s Publisher secured a second-place finish, while Coal Battle followed closely in third, trailing the runner-up by 4 1/2 lengths. Cornucopian secured a fourth-place finish, which left many in the community feeling disappointed given the high expectations surrounding the racehorse. Nonetheless, this may not signify the conclusion for the three-year-old, as Baffert could potentially enter him in an upcoming race to secure those vital Kentucky Derby points.
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