On May 3, 2025, attention will be focused on Bob Baffert’s two horses. Yes, I am referring to Citizen Bull and Rodriguez. What’s the reason behind that? They are guided by an individual pursuing his seventh Kentucky Derby title, aiming for redemption after the events of previous years. The suspension he encountered, which barred him from competing at Churchill Downs, undoubtedly marred his reputation, and he is poised to reclaim it.

Despite facing numerous challenges in the preparatory races, many of his horses were eliminated, leaving only these two in the running for contention. Nevertheless, the racing journeys of the horses that encountered elimination are far from finished, according to a recent update. Do you recall Cornucopian? The horse trained by Bob Baffert participated in the G1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on March 29, but unfortunately, it failed to achieve the necessary results, resulting in insufficient points for qualification to the Kentucky Derby. What are his next destinations?

According to the Paulick Report, Tom Ryan, co-owner of Cornucopian, shared insights about the colt’s upcoming journey, expressing, “He’s really such an exciting colt and we’re happy to find a spot that’s suitable to his conditions. He’s shown us that he has a lot of ability, and hopefully he can show us that again. He’s a horse that has some potential lofty targets ahead, so we wanted to find the right race to entertain potentially prepping into the next Classic. I think we’d look at the Preakness first, and a trip back to New York wouldn’t be [out of the question] either.”

The next stop for the colt is the $2 million Preakness Stakes. Ryan recognized the possibilities presented by Cornucopian. Despite the colt having participated in just one Grade 1 race after his Maiden triumph at Oaklawn Park, the buzz surrounding him continues to thrive. Additionally, the co-owner emphasized the significant expectations placed upon him, noting that despite a lackluster performance at the Arkansas Derby, there remains a sense of optimism regarding his form heading into the upcoming Preakness Stakes.

“I think it’s a suitable trip for him to prep going forward. He has an air of quality to him that’s hard to duplicate. He’s got strength, but he’s not heavy. He’s got length, but he’s not too long. He’s got size, but he’s not too big. He’s just a beautiful horse that’s right in the middle, perfectly balanced, and he has fluency in his action,” Ryan remarked.

The co-owner exudes optimism, and only time will reveal how the Baffert-trained horse will fare, as he is already entered for an Allowance at Aqueduct on April 27. Are you aware of the jockey making a triumphant return alongside Baffert?

He may become a trump card for Bob Baffert

Citizen Bull and Rodriguez are set to take their positions on the grid in just a few days, both representing the stable of Bob Baffert. And can you believe who’s taking the reins of Citizen Bull? It’s Martin Garcia. The experienced rider, boasting over $111 million in career earnings, is making a comeback to the Kentucky Derby after a decade-long hiatus from the track.

As he prepares to ride Citizen Bull at Churchill Downs, he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “This is a realization of aspirations. It’s the aspiration of every jockey. It’s a dream come true. It’s what every jockey wants. I’m excited to get back, most of all because I know I have a very good horse to ride.”

For an extended period, Garcia has developed a connection with Citizen Bull. He knows exactly what the horse can do, having ridden him to victory in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year. The three-year-old colt has also secured the Eclipse Award for 2024 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt, and the experience of riding him during this extraordinary comeback is truly remarkable.