Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Rodriguez romps at Santa Anita

The two-year-old Thoroughbreds of 2024 turned three years old on Jan. 1, barely more than four months before the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1).

The first week of racing in the new year saw several up-and-coming three-year-olds post notable maiden victories. None were more impressive than Rodriguez, a Bob Baffert trainee who kicked off 2025 with a powerful performance suggesting he’ll soon be seen on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Purchased for $485,000 as a yearling, Rodriguez debuted with a fine try on Nov. 23 at Del Mar. Facing five rivals in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight, Rodriguez dueled with stablemate Romanesque through fractions of :22.27 and :45.30 before weakening slightly to finish second by 2 1/4 lengths. Rodriguez pulled 9 1/2 lengths clear of the rest, and Romanesque returned to finish second in the San Vicente (G2), so it’s safe to say Rodriguez ran strongly against a talented rival.

Unsurprisingly, Rodriguez had no difficulty delivering victory in his second start. Favored at 1-2 to win a one-mile maiden special weight at Santa Anita last Saturday, the son of 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic dashed to the lead through splits of :22.91, :46.33, and 1:10.27, then powered clear down the homestretch to dominate by seven lengths in 1:35.91.

Rodriguez’s winning time was strong; later on the card, four-year-old Mirahmadi (who has placed at the Grade 1 level) required 1:36.15 to win a $50,000 allowance optional claimer. Baffert’s roster of contenders for the 2025 Kentucky Derby is deep—led by graded stakes winners Citizen Bull, Gaming, and Barnes—but there’s a chance Rodriguez will ultimately rank among the best of them.

Another eye-catching winner last week was Flood Zone, a son of Frosted who made quick work of a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight for Florida-breds on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Flood Zone debuted with a runner-up finish sprinting six furlongs against Florida-breds on Dec. 7, a race in which he rallied late to miss victory by three-quarters of a length. He showed much-improved tactical speed in his sophomore debut, pressing fractions of :23.06 and :46.85 before taking over and pulling clear to win by 5 1/4 lengths in 1:17.82.

Acquired for only $45,000 as a two-year-old in training, Flood Zone is trained by Victor Barboza Jr., who previously saddled 2024 Kentucky Derby starter Grand Mo the First. There’s enough stamina in Flood Zone’s pedigree to suggest he’ll improve while stretching out around two turns, so don’t be surprised if he turns up in a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier this winter.

At Oaklawn Park on Saturday, Chief Liam showed improvement in his second start for Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Kenny McPeek. A $380,000 yearling acquisition, Chief Liam is a son of Violence, best known for siring champion two-year-old male and Belmont (G1) runner-up Forte.

Seventh in his debut sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs against New York-breds at Aqueduct, Chief Liam relished stretching out over one mile for a non-state-restricted maiden special weight at Oaklawn, racing third behind fractions of :23.91, :47.96, and 1:13.35 before taking over to win by two lengths in 1:40.20.

Uncle Hulka continued the theme of second-time starters triumphing when he took home top honors in a 1 1/8-mile maiden special weight on Friday at Aqueduct.

Uncle Hulka debuted in a one-mile contest on Nov. 3 at Aqueduct, finishing fourth behind future Jerome S. winner Cyclone State. He caught an easier field in his second start. Tracking fractions of :24.39, :49.71, and 1:14.80 left Uncle Hulka with enough left to pull clear in the homestretch and score by three lengths in 1:54.97.

A son of champion and successful stallion Uncle Mo (the sire of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist), Uncle Hulka is trained by Chad Brown, who has saddled Kentucky Derby runners-up Good Magic (2018) and Sierra Leone (2024). Uncle Hulka sold for $750,000 as a two-year-old in training, and with improvement over the winter, perhaps he can develop into Brown’s latest Kentucky Derby contender.

Top maiden winner of the week: Rodriguez

Honorable mention: Flood Zone