Rodriguez ships to New York and goes gate-to-wire in the Wood Memorial, picking up 100 Kentucky Derby points! 🌹 Bob Baffert trains and Mike Smith was in the irons.
Rodriguez makes all in Wood Memorial; Ballerina d'Oro wins Gazelle fight
🕒 Apr 6, 2025
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Rodriguez winning the 2025 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand)
The California form heading into the Kentucky Derby (G1) was flattered in New York on Saturday when Rodriguez gave nine rivals the slip in the $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.
Although convincingly beaten by champion stablemate Citizen Bull in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) and then by Journalism in the San Felipe (G2), Rodriguez turned things around over a fast Aqueduct strip, using his inside draw to full advantage.
Taking the lead from the start under Mike Smith, Rodriguez maintained a tenuous lead over 19-10 favorite Captain Cook after six furlongs, but pulled away from that rival entering the stretch and won comfortably in the end by 3 1/2 lengths.
"He'd been training like he was going to do something like that," trainer Bob Baffert said. "I've always been very high on him. He's just had some rough trips here in California. I knew the added distance would be a big factor for him. I thought he'd love stretching out and going a mile and an eighth."
The Wood Memorial was the second win five career starts for Rodriguez. It was also his first race without blinkers.
"I think with taking the blinkers off, he relaxed a lot better," Baffert said.
Owned by a wide-ranging partnership that includes Starlight Racing, whose colors he sported in the Wood, Rodriguez completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.15 and returned $9.30 as the second wagering choice.
Grande rallied for second, 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Passion Rules. Captain Cook weakened to fourth and was followed by McAfee, Sand Devil, Tiger Twenty Four, Statesman, Omaha Omaha, and My Mitole.
Rodriguez earned 100 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby, increasing his total to 121.25. Grande earned 50 points in his stakes debut, while Passion Rules earned 25 points. Captain Cook increased his total from 20 to 35, while McAfee earned 10 points and now has 15.
A Kentucky-bred, Rodriguez is a son of Baffert's 2020 Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year Authentic. He was produced by the Cherokee Run mare Cayala, who has also reared Southwest (G3) winner One Liner.
Despite failing to keep straight during her stretch duel with Early On, odds-on favorite Ballerina d'Oro ultimately prevailed in the $200,000 Gazelle (G3) by a nose, thus cementing her spot in next month's Kentucky Oaks (G1).
"Very strong performance," trainer Chad Brown said. "She was a little green down the lane there hanging on her left lead and leaning in a little bit. Although she has done it occasionally in her races and in the mornings, she did it a little more than I thought she would today. Nevertheless, (jockey) Dylan (Davis) did a great job to finally get her straightened out, she caught that right lead very late in the race and finally persevered by a tough customer down on the inside."
Runner-up in the Demoiselle (G2) over the same track and 1 1/8-mile distance last fall, Ballerina d'Oro improved off her season-opening third in the Davona Dale (G2) at Gulfstream, contested over a one-turn mile.
"She is a work in progress, I think she got a good hard race under her belt," Brown added. "I'm not sure how much she got out of the Gulfstream race and she missed some training. This race, she'll get a lot out of it and hopefully she can build off of it. She will need to, to be competitive in the Kentucky Oaks, but I think she has the talent to be."
The Rodeo Creek Racing-owned Ballerina d'Oro completed the course in 1:50.67 and paid $3.40. Virginia Oaks runner-up Early On finished 5 3/4 lengths ahead of Deloraine, who was 10 1/2 lengths ahead of early pacesetter Vanilla Sundae. Pure Beauty and Diriyah rounded out the order of finish.
Ballerina d'Oro added 100 qualifying points to her Kentucky Oaks total and now has 116.25 points. Early On increased her total from 25 to 75, while Deloraine earned 25 points and now has 31. Vanilla Sundae and Pure Beauty earned 15 and 10 points, respectively.
The Kentucky-bred Ballerina d'Oro is by Medaglia d'Oro and out of In the Moonlight, by Tapit.
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