Citizen Bull, the Eclipse Award-winning champion of 2024 as the nation’s top 2-year-old, put the finishing touches on his preparation for Saturday’s $5 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) by working five furlongs in :58.40 under jockey Martin Garcia for trainer Bob Baffert.

Citizen Bull’s work was the fastest of 15 at the distance over a fast track. Churchill Downs clockers caught Citizen Bull in fractions of :11.60, :23, :45.80, :58.40 and out six furlongs in 1:12.40 and seven-eighths in 1:27.20.

As the veteran rider came back up through the five and a half gap, he told an onlooker: “He worked really good out there. But he was just messin’ around. He did it easy.”

Also working Monday morning was Coal Battle, who breezed three furlongs in :36 under Bethany Taylor for trainer Lonnie Briley.

“The closer to the race the tougher it gets,” said the 72-year-old Briley, who will be saddling his first Kentucky Derby starter. “He will walk tomorrow and then there will be some jogging and galloping. He’s ready.”

Baeza, who is the lone also-eligible for the Run for the Roses, worked for five furlongs in 1:02 under jockey Flavien Prat for trainer John Shirreffs. Splits on the work were :13.60, :26.40, :37.80, 1:02 and out six furlongs in 1:16.

Tentatively scheduled to work Tuesday morning are Luxor Café, winner of the Fukuryu Stakes, and UAE Derby winner Admire Daytona (JPN).