Citizen Bull starts march to Derby with commanding Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) win

Into Mischief’s 2024 2-year-old champion Citizen Bull began his 2025 campaign in rousing style Saturday at Santa Anita Park, where he rolled to a 3 ¾-length victory in the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis S. (G3).

Saturday was another stellar day for six-time reigning champion sire Into Mischief. Along with Citizen Bull, he accounted for Forward Gal S. (G3) winner Eclatant, a leading Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender, as well as Tappan Street and Burning Glory, who finished second and third, respectively, in the Holy Bull S. (G3).

Away from the races since his division-clinching win in the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), the strapping bay colt was eager from the outset of Saturday’s one-mile contest for 3-year-olds. He went right to the front, with stablemate Rodriguez pressing him through a half-mile in :47.06. Citizen Bull began to get away from Rodriguez on the turn, then took total control in the stretch to win easily in 1:36.71 on a fast track.

The time earned Citizen Bull a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 98, and also another 20 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, upping his total to 60.

“The champ is back,” winning trainer Bob Baffert said after the race. “The ‘Bull’ looked good coming down [the stretch]. It’s funny, you see him and you don’t realize that he has those gears. He won’t show you that in the morning, but he does have gears.”

Citizen Bull is owned by the conglomerate of SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan. Now a winner of four of five starts, the colt has earned $1,421,000.

Bred by Robert and Lawana Low, Citizen Bull sold to his owners for $675,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling sale.