You hear an article by Canadian Thororbred.com. Rodriguez, trained by Bob Baffert, wires wood for derby points from: Nyra Media Office | .
Rodriguez (genuine – Cayala by Cherokee Run) After he had broken out of the inner post and comfort himself in a similar position on the route and comfort the slow bid of Grande from outside to achieve an impressive 3 1/2 length victory in the 100th race of Saturday 1 1/8 mile class 2, $ 750,000 Wood Memorial, Presented by Resorts World Casino in Aqueduct Racetrack.
The race that offers 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky derby Qualification points for the top Five finisher saw the genuine Shadowy Bay Colt his first career-stake victory. Under the direction of the duo of the Hall of Fame by coach Bob Baffert and Jockey Mike Smith, Rodriguez won a place for the roses for the roses on May 3 in Churchill Downs and brought all of his qualification points to 121.25.
Baffert, who is genuine in the Kentucky Derby of 2020 [2001] and Bob and John [2006].
“Every time you win in Up-to-date York, this means a lot,” said Baffert. “I have great memories of gaining the wood. It is a very essential race. Only to know that you have a horse that looks like he is a stern derby candidate, does it much better. We are all pretty excited and I'm really elated about our group of ownership.”
From the break, Smith Rodriguez led to the front of the interior post with turn signals, where he led the 10-horse field through the opening mile in 23.31 seconds.
Rodriguez, the 7-2 second choice, was pressed in second position under the driver Manny Franco of 9-5 favorite captain Cook. But Rodriguez showed the shape that brought him a field best 100 Beyer Speed figure for his juvenile animal in January in Santa Anita Park, which did not remain in the last round.
Grande released an incensed bid with a comprehensive movement from the outside, which entered the tip of the route, and continued to press, but Rodriguez carried 1: 48.15 to the wire in a last time to register his first win. He has never left the money in all five career starts and switched to the superiors in February in Santa Anita and a third effort of Grade 2 San Felipe on the same route to 2: 2-1.
Grandetrained by the Hall of Famer Todd Plletcher, collected the 50 points to end 1 3/4 length before the passion rules [25 points] For the second. The Rick Dutrow, Jr.-trained couple Captain Cook [15] and McAfee [10] The points for the fourth or fifth, while the Sand devil, Tiger twenty -four, statesmen, Omaha Omaha and my mitole rounded off the order of the goal. Hill road and bear claw chain scratched.
Rodriguez, in possession of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stalls, Stonestreet Stalls, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stalls, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Wave capital and Catherine Donovan. Had the indicators removed and the tactical decision paid off.
“Mike Smith told me that he wanted a super lived and I said:” Man, I have a good one for you. “He rode him beautifully,” said Baffert. “The horse looked great – it looked genuine. He won like a good horse. It was very impressive.
“His last two works were very mighty here, so I felt really good, as long as he wasn't too excited, he would be good,” he continued. “I think when he took the turn signals, he relaxed much better. It was just a pretty run and I am only elated and blessed to have such a horse.”
Rodriguez, bred in Kentucky by Kingswood Farm and David Egan, returned 9.30 US dollars for a profit of $ 2. His victory in the 100 -year edition of the Wood Memorial increased his career gain to $ 522,800. He will now try to become the 12th Wood Memorial winner who held the Kentucky Derby and the first since Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000.
“He had trained as if he were doing something like that,” said Baffert. “I was always very high on him. He only had a few strenuous trips here in California. I knew that the additional distance would be a massive factor for him. I thought he would love to extend and go a mile and eighth place.”
Smith won his fourth Wood Memorial and in 29 years the first and for the first time since Unbridled's song in 1996 made a return journey to the circle of the winner. He said the connections had opened up the potential of the horse and it paid off in a enormous way.
“I think they found that he only wanted to be left alone. I could balmy it up,” said Smith. “Every time you did something with him, he would come in the front. This is only – if you make him breathe, he will run, man, and he did that today. That's why he ran this 100 Beyer when he broke his virgin to be straightforward with you.
Family tree Notes of CT
Rosdriguez comes from the first harvest of genuine (in mischief) and he was a purchase of SF Bloodstock, Madaket and Starlight Racing of 485,000 US dollars from the purchase of Keeland September.
The first dam Cayala won one of 12 races and produced seven foals for the race, including Southwest Stakes (G3) -Winner One Liner and Hitchon Stakes winner Provacateur.
The second dam Chasethegold (Touch Gold) was rated and has five petite winners. The third dam Chasethewildwind (nine -forty -nation) produced the champagne -Stakes -Stakes winner of class 1 and the top cockwedel Daredevil and the Donn -Handicap winner of class 1, Albertus Maximus. Rodriguez 'fourth dam race The wild wind comes from the Canadian Radiant's Halo, the winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1).
