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After 10 years, Citizen Bull Garcia returns to Derby

After a 10-year absence, the experienced jockey Martin Garcia drives back to the Kentucky Derby (G1). He will ride Citizen Bull Last year Champion 2-year-old man for coach Bob Baffert in the 151st run for the roses Churchill Downs May 3rd.

“It is a dream that has become true,” said Garcia, a 40-year-old from Veracruz, Mexico, 40-year-old. “It is what every jockey wants.”

Garcia drove four times in the Kentucky Derby between 2010 and 2015. His best end came in 2015 when Dortmund also trained by Baffert, the third place behind the winner was American Pharoah .

“I look forward to coming back, especially because I know that I have a very good horse to drive,” said Garcia.

Garcia drove around the Bürgerbullen in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) last October in October Santa Anita Parkwhat you won. It was a random call that landed on the mounting animal.

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Baffert planned to enter three horses in the American Pharoah, but was a low jockey. Garcia called Baffert in the morning.

“I go, 'Hey, I'm glad you called. What are you doing on Saturday?” Baffert shared after the American Pharoah.

Garcia secured the mount on Citizen Bull and won the American Pharoah with two lengths in the front fashion. Four weeks later, Garcia and Citizen Bull were back in the circle of the winner sea. It was Garcia's fifth victory at the Breeders' Cup and the first since the breeding cup cup (G1) 2016 with the hit Dream also for Baffert.

Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Citizen Bull wins the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in Del Mar

In the Kentucky Derby, Garcia hopes for Citizen Bull. After his 3-year season, another victory in Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) in February in Santa Anita was recently a disappointing fourth place in Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 5, after he had set the pace.

“I think it wasn't his day,” said Garcia. “Horses can be similar to people; sometimes we all have challenging days. But everyone knows that they are a superstar horse. Hopefully we can achieve a good result in Kentucky.”

Garcia has the reason for optimism after a promising exercise by Citizen Bull on April 18 in Santa Anita, which has been second since Santa Anita Derby. Citizen Bull has worked for the second time since the Santa Anita Derby. It was a promising exercise. Citizen Bull worked with one goal in front of several lengths and swept past his work colleague in the route and galloped heavily. In 1:11 4/5 he was attributed to a six-furgon plant, which was the fastest of the day from four works in the distance.

“He worked really well,” said Garcia. “Mr. Baffert told me that I should be a bit of the pace. Then when it was time to let him run, he changed the lead perfectly and started like him. The gallop-out was really good too.”

In Sunday, Garcia won 1,829 races and achieved more than 111 million dollars in wasting.

“I'm just very excited,” said Garcia about his return to the substantial stage. “It means a lot to me.”

This press release was edited by Bloodhorse Stab for content and style.

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