After a 10-year absence, veteran jockey Martin Garcia is headed back to the Kentucky Derby (G1). He is set to ride Citizen Bull, last year's champion 2-year-old male, for trainer Bob Baffert in the 151st Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs May 3.
"It's a dream come true," said Garcia, a 40-year-old native of Veracruz, Mexico. "It's what every jockey wants."
Garcia has ridden in the Kentucky Derby four times, all between 2010 and 2015. His best finish came in 2015 when Dortmund, also trained by Baffert, finished third behind winner American Pharoah .
"I'm excited to get back, most of all because I know I have a very good horse to ride," Garcia said.
Garcia first rode Citizen Bull in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) last October at Santa Anita Park, which they won. It was a fortuitous phone call that landed Garcia the mount.
In the American Pharoah, Baffert planned to enter three horses but was short one jockey. Garcia just happened to call Baffert on the morning of entries.
"I go, 'Hey, I'm glad you called. What are you doing Saturday?" Baffert shared after the American Pharoah.
Garcia secured the mount on Citizen Bull, and they would win the American Pharoah by two lengths in front-running fashion. Four weeks later, Garcia and Citizen Bull were back in the winner's circle after taking down the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar. It was Garcia's fifth win at the Breeders' Cup and first since the 2016 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) when scoring with Drefong, also for Baffert.
In the Kentucky Derby, Garcia will be hoping for a bounce-back performance from Citizen Bull. After kicking off his 3-year-old season with another win in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) in February at Santa Anita, Citizen Bull most recently finished a disappointing fourth in the April 5 Santa Anita Derby (G1) after setting the pace.
"I think it just wasn't his day," Garcia said. "Horses can be similar to people; sometimes we all have difficult days. But everybody knows he's a superstar horse. Hopefully, we can get a good result in Kentucky."
Garcia does have reason for optimism following a promising drill by Citizen Bull April 18 at Santa Anita, which was his second since the Santa Anita Derby. Citizen Bull worked for the second time since the Santa Anita Derby. It was a promising drill. Working with a target several lengths in front, Citizen Bull swept past his workmate in the stretch and galloped out strongly. He was credited with a six-furlong work in 1:11 4/5, which was the fastest of the day from four works at the distance.
"He worked really good," Garcia said. "Mr. Baffert told me to be a little off the pace. Then in the stretch when it was time to let him run, he switched leads perfectly and started reaching out like he does. The gallop-out was also really good."
Entering Sunday, Garcia has won 1,829 races and tallied more than $111 million in purse earnings.
"I'm just really excited," Garcia said of his return to the big stage. "It means a lot to me."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
