Photo:
Richard Steele / Eclipse Sportswire
Bob Baffert won the Grade 1 American Pharoah at Santa Anita on Saturday, but not with the favorite, Getaway Car.
Citizen Bull, the third choice at 3-1, led the 1 1/16-mile race the whole way, with 6-5 favorite Getaway Car in second for the entire trip.
Ridden by Martin Garcia, Getaway Car led by three lengths entering the stretch and maintained that lead to the wire.
McKenzie Street, the second choice at 9-5, was third for trainer Tim Yakteen.
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
Citizen Bull earned a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile with the win, and the top five finishers earned 10-5-3-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
Fractions were 23.85 seconds, 47.78, 1:12.43, 1:37.32 and 1:44.30.
Citizen Bull paid $8.60, $3.60 and $2.40. Getaway Car paid $3.00 and $2.20, and McKenzie Street paid $2.20.
Citizen Bull won his debut at Del Mar in August with Garcia riding and was third last out behind Baffert’s Gaming and McKenzie Street in the Del Mar Debutante. Mike Smith was aboard Citizen Bull for the Debutante.
Owned by a partnership led by SF Racing, Citizen Bull was purchased as a yearling for $675,000.
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