For those passionate about horse racing, it’s important to note that Bob Baffert is set to make his return at this year’s Kentucky Derby. He will be pursuing that esteemed seventh title, and do you recall his remarks following the lifting of his suspension? “My family and I want to put this behind us… I very much look forward to returning to Churchill Downs and getting back to the Winner’s Circle,” said the 72-year-old trainer. However, can you believe it? It’s not just Baffert who is staging a return to Churchill Downs.

Citizen Bull, a promising three-year-old colt, is set to compete in the prestigious Run for the Roses, with Martin Garcia taking the reins as his rider. The seasoned jockey with over $111 million in career earnings makes a return to the Kentucky Derby after a decade away from the track. “It feels great to get back to the winner’s circle. I’m glad people haven’t forgotten about me. I’m still here and riding as hard as I can,” Garcia stated after guiding Baffert’s Citizen Bull to victory in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

As he approaches the Kentucky Derby, mounted on the same horse, the jockey is filled with nothing but anticipation for the upcoming race. “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,” stated Martin Garcia, according to a report by Paulick Report.

It’s not every day that one has the opportunity to ride a colt trained by Bob Baffert. And it’s not every day you get the chance to ride someone like Citizen Bull. He is far from an ordinary horse. The three-year-old colt clinched the Eclipse Award for 2024 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt, and riding him on this remarkable comeback is simply the icing on the cake. The career of Citizen Bull, you ask?

The three-year-old colt presents an impressive track record, having participated in 6 races with 4 victories, no second-place finishes, and 1 third-place finish, accumulating total earnings of $1,451,000. Citizen Bull’s impressive winning streak began at the 2024 American Pharoah Stakes but came to an end at the 2025 Santa Anita Derby, lasting a total of 3 races. But who emerged victorious at that particular race?

Bob Baffert’s horse was seen to be nowhere

On April 5, 2025, Journalism secured victory in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park, fending off Baeza in the final stretch to triumph by three-quarters of a length, clocking in at 1:49.56.

Under the guidance of Michael McCarthy and with Umberto Rispoli in the saddle, the colt clinched an essential 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, solidifying his status as a leading contender for the Triple Crown following earlier triumphs in the Los Alamitos Futurity and San Felipe Stakes. In the meantime, Citizen Bull emerged as a frontrunner in the race but fell short in the final stretch, ultimately securing a lackluster fourth place.

Despite a strong start, the Bob Baffert-trained colt faded late and was unable to keep pace with Journalism’s impressive closing speed. The outcome has sparked inquiries regarding Citizen Bull’s capacity to manage extended distances; however, his overall performance continues to establish him as a formidable competitor on the path to Churchill Downs.