The pace picks up on the road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) Saturday, with point-qualifying preps in California, Florida, and New York.
All three Grade 3 races-- the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, and the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct offer 20-10-6-4-2 points to the first five finishes on a sliding scale.
Perhaps the most intriguing of the preps is the 1-mile Robert B. Lewis with the 3-year-old debut of champion Citizen Bull, who will be challenged by stablemates Rodriguez and Getaway Car – all trained by 12-time Lewis winner Bob Baffert – and Clock Tower and Valentines Candy. (Baffert is seeking his seventh straight Lewis win).
Another Baffert 3-year-old – San Vicente (G2) winner Barnes – and Citizen Bull remain 1-2 in this week’s usracing.com 2025 Kentucky Derby Top 10 Contenders.
A few changes took place following last week’s Southwest Stakes (G1), with winner Speed King and runner-up Sandman moving into the Top 10 at No. 9 and No. 10, respectively, and fourth- and eighth-place finishers in the Southwest, Patch Adams and Gaming, dropping out.
The 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull drew a field of seven, including Mucho Macho Man Stakes winner Guns Loaded and Ferocious, fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and second in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1)
The 1 1/8-mile Withers also drew a field of seven, including Smarty Jones Stakes runner-up Mo Quality.
By next week, the Derby Top 10 could have a new look, but for now, here’s where we stand:
Jockeys are listed from the horse’s most recent race.
Barnes posted another solid workout on Jan. 26 at Santa Anita – 4 furlongs in 48.60 seconds, 15th fastest of 41 at the distance … Won 7-furlong San Vicente by 5 ½ lengths on Jan. 4 to improve to 2-0 … Purchased for $3.2 million by Amr Zedan. … Pedigree: Into Mischief-All American Dream, by American Pharoah … Next start: Rebel, Oaklawn, Feb. 22 … Derby points: 0 … Derby future wager odds: 6-1 (pool 3).
Champion 2-year-old makes 3-year-old debut at home track as Baffert seeks seventh straight Lewis victory ... Capped 3-for-4 campaign by winning Breeders’ Cup Juvenile … Pedigree: Into Mischief-No Joke, by Distorted Humor … Next start: Robert B. Lewis, Santa Anita, Feb. 1 … Derby points: 40 (1st) … Derby future wager odds: 17-1.
Los Alamitos Futurity win over Gaming and Getaway Car gives trainer a top contender in the early going … Worked 4 furlongs in 49.80 at Santa Anita on Jan. 23 … Passing on ‘Lewis’ Saturday ... Pedigree: Curlin-Mopotism, by Uncle Mo … Next start: San Felipe, Santa Anita, March 1 … Derby points 10 (15th) … Derby future wager odds: 20-1.
Remains a top contender as BC Juvenile is a toss after colt stumbled badly at the start and ran ninth of 10 … Worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.40 at the Fair Grounds on Jan. 26 ... Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro-Dance Music, by Ghostzapper … Next start: Risen Star, Fair Grounds, Feb. 15 … Derby points: 10 (12th) … Derby future wager odds: 15-1.
Other than the cool name, his rally to beat Built by a neck in the Lecomte puts him in the Top 10 … Plus, he’s 3-0 with his first two wins at Churchill Downs … Pedigree: Not This Time-Disco Chick, by Jump Start … Next start: Risen Star, Fair Grounds, Feb. 15 … Derby points: 20 (4th) … Derby future wager odds: 21-1.
Runner-up in the Kentucky Jockey Club on Nov. 30, this Ohio-bred has been working steadily for his 3-year-old debut next month … Covered 5 furlongs in 1:01.80 at the Fair Grounds on Jan. 26 … Also failed to fire in BC Juvenile (seventh), but owns a win in the 1-mile Iroquois at Churchill Downs … Pedigree: Vekoma-Female Drama, by Indian Charlie … Next start: Risen Star, Fair Grounds, Feb. 15 … Derby points 15 (8th) … Derby future wager odds: 49-1.
After a four-length win the Smarty Jones, it appears this could be quite a run for the roses for 72-year-old trainer still seeking a first graded stakes win … Colt already has two Derby prep wins and has won four of six starts … Worked 4 furlongs in 49.80 at Delta Downs on Jan. 24 … Pedigree: Coal Front-Wolfblade, by Midshipman … Next start: Rebel, Oaklawn, Feb. 22 … Derby points 20 (3rd) … 2025 Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 48-1.
From last to first in five-length win in the Street Sense – at Churchill Downs and at 1 1/16 miles -- merits this spot … Most recent workout was 4 furlongs in 49.20 at Payson Park on Jan. 15 … Bred and owned by Godolphin … Pedigree: Into Mischief-Crowned, by Bernardini … Next start: TBD … 2025 Kentucky Derby points 10 (16th) … Derby future wager odds: 21-1.
A gate-to-wire win in last week’s Southwest gains him a spot here, but we’ll need more proof in the Rebel ... Two favorites in the race faltered (Gaming, Patch Adams), but debut win at Churchill Downs and runner-up in Springboard Mile count, too ... Purchased for $100,000 at Ocala Breeders’ 2-year-olds in training sale by Triton Thoroughbreds ... Pedigree: Volatile-Athenian Beauty, by Corinthian ... Next start: Rebel, Oaklawn, Feb. 22 ... Derby points 25 (2nd) ... Derby future wager odds: 4-1 (all other 2-year-olds).
With a strong rally in Southwest to come up a length short, Casse’s experienced colt showed promise. He’s run fifth, third, and second in Derby preps, so a longer distance could be in his future. Purchased for $1.2 million at the Ocala Breeders’ 2-year-olds in training sale by West Point Thoroughbreds ... Pedigree: Tapit-Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor ... Next start: Rebel, Oaklawn, Feb. 22 ... Derby points 14 (10th) ... Derby future wagers odds: 59-1.
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