Rodriguez The Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) winner (G2), scratched up on May 3rd Kentucky Derby (G1) Churchill Downs.
On X wrote Tom Ryan, part of the owner group of the Colt, “from a lot of caution we made a very arduous decision to scratch our derby horse Rodriguez. He has a petite, but slightly sensitive Goal blue that takes a few more days. That is why we will reset our plans and will target it.”
The Preakness Stakes (G1) is the second leg of the triple crown on May 17th Pimlico Race Course.
Rodriguez should break from Post 4 with 12: 1 profit chances on Saturday for coach Bob Baffert. He was one of two submissions for the trainer who has returned to the first stage of the Triple Crown since 2021. Baffert still has a 2-year-old man in 2024 Citizen Bull in the derby.
“It still sinks,” said Baffert after a victory of Fort Bragg In the St. Matthews overnight, about an hour after the announcement. “I was really looking forward to leading him in the derby. You just have to be perfect. If you get this thing, you have to be perfect.”
As a result of Rodriguez 'Kratzer Santa Anita Derby (G1) second Baeza is now part of the field of 20 for the 151st run of the derby. All other entries shift in the peg in the one in the one and place Baeza outwards. Post 20 produced two winners of the Kentucky Derby, most recently with Luxurious Strike, another who was also a promotional and won in 2022. The other horse that wins out of the outermost post Huge Brown .
Baeza training in Churchill Downs
Baeza also provides his dam that Permissible opportunity to be the producer of two winners of Kentucky Derby and three American classic winners. From the immense brown mare Shoot Baeza is a McKinzie Half -brother until 2023 Kentucky Derby winner magician and 2024 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Thornoch Both of Good magic .
Robert Clay von Grandview Equine, co -owner of Baeza and breeder of Baeza, Magician and Dornoch, liked the chances of his horse when he came to the derby.
“When he comes in the race, I think that he will be in the top 5 or six in the top five or six,” said Clay. “The quota makers will look at him quite inexpensive.”
