Recall the moment when Bob Baffert remarked, “Him [Cornucopian] 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 expressed strong confidence in Cornucopian as the Arkansas Derby approached. The competition was poised to award a staggering 100 points to the victor, with numerous experts forecasting it as a favorable opportunity for the horse trained by Baffert. Despite his efforts, the three-year-old colt found himself outmatched by the competition at Oaklawn Park. What then took place?

With Jose Ortiz in the saddle and under Mark Casse’s tutelage, Sandman completed the 1 1/8-mile race on a fast track in 1:50.08, securing his place as a leading Kentucky Derby candidate with a strong 100-point total. Flavien Prat’s Publisher achieved a commendable second-place finish, with Coal Battle not far behind in third, finishing 4 1/2 lengths behind the runner-up. Cornucopian, as previously noted, achieved a fourth-place finish, prompting a sense of disappointment among many in the community due to the elevated expectations that had been set for the racehorse.

This marked a significant victory for Sandman, providing him with a considerable edge on the path to the Kentucky Derby. As per the Kentucky Derby’s official website, the horse trained by Casse is currently at the top of the standings with 129 points. It had been some time since Sandman last claimed a victory.

With Cornucopian unable to capitalize on his opportunity, Sandman’s triumph has solidified him as a major contender in the Kentucky Derby picture, shifting the spotlight away from Baffert’s camp.

Certainly, the most recent victory also took place at Oaklawn Park, though it was merely an Allowance race. This marks a significant triumph for the three-year-old colt, who has demonstrated his capabilities on the track, taking on tough rivals. With some of Baffert’s horses struggling, this could be a growing concern for the trainer. Recently, the 72-year-old trainer also dispatched his leading horse for a workout session.

Bob Baffert putting his horse to work

For a trainer of Baffert’s caliber, it’s not unusual to witness several horses vying for those vital Kentucky Derby points on his behalf. This year is no exception, as the trainer is more resolute than ever in pursuit of that seventh Kentucky Derby victory. Nonetheless, he will require an exceptional horse for that purpose, and Citizen Bull remains a key focus in his training program.

Citizen Bull has been actively training at Santa Anita, participating in multiple timed workouts alongside other Bob Baffert-trained Derby contenders. His most recent bullet workout further indicates that Baffert is carefully preparing him for an upcoming stakes race.

A few months ago, the three-year-old generated significant buzz as he topped the Road to Kentucky Derby list. Despite his previous standings, his absence from recent races has resulted in a decline to ninth place. Seeing a horse trained by Baffert at this place is a rare occurrence, but it’s only a matter of time before he makes his next appearance on the track.

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On X, horse racing photographer J. McLaughlin Safford posted a series of images featuring Citizen Bull, along with a caption stating, “Bullet 5F in 58.40 for Citizen Bull this morning with Juan Hernandez in the Irons for HoF trainer Bob Baffert.”

That’s certainly noteworthy for a productive workout session. This workout showcases the three-year-old colt’s impressive sharpness, indicating that Bob Baffert may be looking forward to remarkable results from him in the future. Only time will reveal his next competitive destination.