Citizen Bull wires American Pharoah

Oct 05, 2024 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Third as the favorite in his stakes debut in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), Citizen Bull was much sharper when leading throughout in Saturday’s $301,000 American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita.

The son of leading sire Into Mischief extended trainer Bob Baffert’s all-time record to 13 wins in this race. Stablemate Getaway Car, the 1.30-1 favorite, chased in second at every call but had to settle for the runner-up spot.

Citizen Bull had shown good early speed in his 5 1/2-furlong debut on Aug. 17 at Del Mar, where he forced the pace before edging clear. But he didn’t get close to the lead in the Del Mar Futurity and never threatened in third, 5 3/4 lengths behind another Baffert pupil, Gaming.

Reunited with the rider from his maiden score, Martin Garcia, Citizen Bull responded to more aggressive tactics in the American Pharoah. The 3.30-1 chance gained command by the clubhouse turn and held sway thereafter in a two-length decision, completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.30.

Citizen Bull earned 10 points toward the Kentucky Derby (G1) as well as a free pass to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) under the “Win and You’re In” provision.

Citizen Bull earns 10 points on the Road to the #KyDerby with his win in the American Pharoah Stakes at @santaanitapark! 🌹 pic.twitter.com/qGzDEelc9O

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) October 6, 2024

Getaway Car, who picked up five points in second, was also improving from his Del Mar Futurity loss. A disappointing fourth that day, Getaway Car fared better by ditching the blinkers here.

The one who regressed from the Del Mar Futurity was McKinzie Street. After a promising second in that divisional feature, McKinzie Street got no nearer than third in the American Pharoah. The Tim Yakteen trainee received three points for finishing 5 3/4 lengths adrift of Getaway Car.

Baffert’s outsider, Emerald Bay, wound up fourth (two points), and Show of Force (one point) rounded out the top five. Start Mo Up and Mischief River concluded the order of finish.

Citizen Bull and Getaway Car share the same ownership consortium of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan.

Bred by Robert and Lawana Low in Kentucky, Citizen Bull sold for $675,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. The bay has bankrolled $261,000 from his 3-2-0-1 line.

Citizen Bull is out of the Distorted Humor mare No Joke, an unraced half-sister to multiple Grade 1 victress Moonshine Memories and Grade 2-placed stakes scorer Indian Evening.

This is the further family of 1997 Horse of the Year Favorite Trick and $2.7 million-earner Tiz the Law, whose marquee wins include the 2020 Belmont (G1) and Travers (G1). Tiz the Law made news himself on Saturday as the sire of Oak Leaf (G2) winner Non Compliant.