DEL MAR, Calif. - In a performance that amounted to little more than a trial race, Citizen Bull, the champion 2-year-old male of 2024, led throughout the $115,000 Shared Belief Stakes for 3-year-old milers at Del Mar on Sunday, recording his first win since February.
Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Citizen Bull ($2.80) took the lead shortly after the start, set a solid pace, and won by 5 1/2 lengths over 9-1 Smooth Cruisein.
“It was good to see him put on a show,” winning trainer Bob Baffert said. “We saw the champion Citizen Bull today.
“He loves this track. I think this is the distance he wants.”
Citizen Bull was timed in 1:35.12. Baffert said the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 1 is a goal for Citizen Bull.
Only three ran in the Shared Belief.
The Baffert-trained Gaming was third throughout and faded from contention in early stretch, losing by 14 1/2 lengths. While Citizen Bull earned championship honors last year, Gaming was nominated for the 2-year-old male title.
“I was a little disappointed in Gaming,” Baffert said. “I thought I could run 1-2.
Brother Brother and Privman, trained by Doug O’Neill and Bob Baffert, were withdrawn on Sunday morning.
In the Shared Belief, Citizen Bull led by a length through early fractions of 22.39 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.88 for a half-mile.
Sunday’s race was Citizen Bull’s fifth win in his ninth start. He has earned $1,556,000 for a large partnership that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing, and Madaket Stables.
As a 2-year-old, Citizen Bull won consecutive Grade 1 races in the American Pharoah Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to clinch his title.
The Shared Belief Stakes was Citizen Bull’s fourth stakes win, and first since the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes at a mile at Santa Anita in February.
Citizen Bull started in three Grade 1 races in the spring, finishing fourth in the Santa Anita Derby in April, 15th in the Kentucky Derby in May, and fourth in the Woody Stephens Stakes at seven furlongs at Saratoga on June 7.
“I’m just glad that he’s back,” Baffert said.
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