Journalism may be taking over the favorite’s role when pool 5 of the 2025 Kentucky Derby future wager opens this weekend, but Citizen Bull remains No. 1 in the latest usracing.com 2025 Kentucky Derby Top 10.
Citizen Bull, trained by six-time Kentucky Derby winner Bob Baffert, won the Robert B. Lewis (G3) in his 3-year-old debut after clinching the 2-year-old championship with his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
The son of Into Mischief has done nothing wrong this year, owns a 4-for-5 record and most recently worked 6 furlongs in 1:12.60 at Santa Anita on March 8.
Journalism, a West Coast rival of Citizen Bull, won the San Felipe Stakes (G2) on March 1 and ranks sixth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 47.5 points; Citizen Bull is third with 60.
Owen Almighty came through with a victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 8 to all but clinch a berth in the 2025 Kentucky Derby with 65 points, but did not crack the Top 10 this week.
Chancer McPatrick finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby in his first start since the BC Juvenile in November and dropped out of the Top 10. The lone newcomer is Flood Zone, winner of the Gotham Stakes (G3) on March 1, and trained by Brad Cox, who moves in at No. 10.
Journalism, a son of Curlin, opens pool 5 as the 3-1 favorite; No. 2 Sovereignty (Fountain of Youth winner) is 5-1; and Citizen Bull is 8-1. Pool 5 closes on Sunday.
The Virginia Derby is the lone 2025 Kentucky Derby points qualifier on Saturday, offering 50-25-15-10-5 points to the top five finishers. Baffert-trained Getaway Car, No. 7 in the Top 10, headlines a field of nine as the 9-5 favorite.
Jockeys are listed from the horse’s most recent race.
Worked 6 furlongs in 1:12.60 on March 8 at Santa Anita … It was the front-running colt’s fourth breeze since winning the Robert B. Lewis on Feb. 1 ... Showdown with Journalism looms in Santa Anita Derby … Pedigree: Into Mischief-No Joke, by Distorted Humor … Next start: Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita, April 5 ... Derby points: 60 (3rd) … Derby future wager pool 5 opening odds: 8-1.
All seems calm after big win over Barnes in the San Felipe on March 1 … Also won Los Alamitos Futurity in stakes debut in December ... Colt has beaten several of Baffert’s top Derby prospects ... Pedigree: Curlin-Mopotism, by Uncle Mo … Next start: Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita, April 5 … Derby points: 47½ (6th) … Derby future wager odds: 3-1.
A rousing 3-year-old debut – a well-timed rally from last to first to nose out River Thames in the Fountain of Youth ... Looks like a serious Derby threat for Hall of Famer Bill Mott ... Pedigree: Into Mischief-Crowned, by Bernardini … Next start: Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, March 29 ... Derby points: 60 (3rd) … Derby future wager odds: 5-1.
Worked 4 furlongs in 50.60 at Santa Anita on March 10, 64th of 69 at the distance … Barnes ran a solid second to Journalism in his first two-turn try in the San Felipe ... Earned first Derby points to move into contention with one more prep likely ... Pedigree: Into Mischief-All American Dream, by American Pharoah … Next start: TBD … Derby points: 18 ¾ (23rd) … Derby future wager odds: 6-1.
Worked 4 furlongs in 49.40 at Oaklawn Park on March 5 ... $70,000 purchase is 5-for-5 over dirt tracks for 72-year-old trainer with first Derby contender ... Pedigree: Coal Front-Wolfblade, by Midshipman … Next start: Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Park, March 29 ... Derby points: 70 (1st) … Derby future wager odds: 20-1.
Holds onto this spot with considerable effort in Fountain of Youth Stakes, getting nailed at the wire by Sovereignty … Pedigree: Maclean's Music- Proportionality, by Discreet Cat ... Next start: Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, March 29 ... Derby points: 25 (15th) ... Derby future wager odds: 30-1.
Sent East by Baffert to run in the Virginia Derby, a first-time Derby points qualifier … Comes into race off gallant effort to edge Caldera in Sunland Derby … Pedigree: Curlin-Surrender Now, by Morning Line ... Ownership group, SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, et al, also owns Citizen Bull ... Next start: Virginia Derby, Colonial Downs, March 15 … Derby points: 36 (7th) ... Derby future wager odds: 40-1.
Worked 4 furlongs in 50.09 at Belmont Park on March 11 … Passed on Gotham and will look to pick up enough points in Wood to qualify for the Derby …. 2-for-2 under Dutrow; first start was for Norm Casse prior to being sold at a dispersal sale after the death of John Hendrickson ... Pedigree: Practical Joke-Pow Wow Wow, by Indian Charlie ... Next start: Wood Memorial, Aqueduct, April 5 ... Derby points: 20 (19th) ... Derby future wager odds: 30-1.
Worked 4 furlongs in 49.40 at Oaklawn Park on March 11 … A deep closer who made huge runs for third in the Rebel and second in the Southwest ... Pedigree: Tapit-Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor ... Next start: Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Park, March 29 ... Derby points: 29 (12th) ... Derby future wager odds: 20-1.
Won Gotham at the Big A by 3 ¼ lengths at 17-1 odds on March 1 … Purchased privately by Wathnan Racing after his Jan. 4 maiden win by 5 ¼ lengths at Gulfstream Park … Looks like he’s headed to Dubai for his next start … Wathnan Racing is operated by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani … Pedigree: Frosted-Curls for Girls, by Curlin… Next start: UAE Derby, Meydan Racecourse, April 5 … Derby points: 50 (5th) ... Derby future wager odds: 30-1.
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