Rodriguez – Kentucky Derby Context

An impressive maiden winner stretching to two turns in early January, winning by seven lengths over eventual Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Baeza, Rodriguez didn’t appreciate stalking tactics finishing a well-beaten second in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) and third in the San Felipe (G2), retreating significantly in the stretch of the latter. The dark bay colt rebounded spectacularly while switching back to a frontrunning style in the Wood Memorial (G2), running the second-fastest edition in the last 20 years and earning an outstanding 105 Brisnet Speed rating for the 3 1/2-length decision. Along with facing a projected abundance of early speed, Rodriguez will meet a much deeper field in the Kentucky Derby, but his improving form and strong connections merit serious respect.

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OWNER: Rodriguez is campaigned by Starlight Racing (Jack Wolf), Madaket Stables (Sol Kumin), SF Racing (Gavin Murphy), Diane Bashor, Determined Stables (Matt Dorman), Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital (W. Gregg Slager), and Catherine Donovan. Starlight and Kumin (through multiple nom de courses) were involved in partnerships that campaigned Kentucky Derby winners Justify (2018) and Authentic (2020). These same connections also have Citizen Bull in the 2025 Kentucky Derby field.

TRAINER: Tied with Ben Jones for the most wins, Hall of Famer Bob Baffert returns to the Kentucky Derby after a three-year suspension by Churchill Downs following the post-race disqualification of Medina Spirit. His six Kentucky Derby victories include a pair of Triple Crown winners, American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018), and Baffert has compiled three seconds and three thirds from 34 starts. His first appearance came in 1996, with Cavonnier finishing second by a nose. The 72-year-old Arizona native won the following two editions with Hall of Famer Silver Charm and Real Quiet. Along with winning the Preakness (G1) a record eight times, Baffert owns the most Triple Crown race wins (17). He will also send out Citizen Bull in the 2025 Kentucky Derby field.

JOCKEY: A two-time Kentucky Derby winner, Mike “Big Money” Smith made his first appearance in 1984, finishing sixth on Pine Circle, and Rodriguez will give the Hall of Famer a record-extending 29th mount in the Run for the Roses. His first win came aboard 50-1 upsetter Giacomo in 2005, and Smith was the regular rider for 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify. He also owns four seconds (Bodemeister, Lion Heart, Prairie Bayou, and Proud Citizen) and a third (Cat Thief). A 59-year-old native of New Mexico, Smith has won the Preakness twice and Belmont thrice. And Smith leads all jockeys with a record 27 wins in the Breeders’ Cup. He picked up the mount on Rodriguez in the Wood.

BREEDER: Kingswood Farm (Robert Wachman) and David Egan will make their first Kentucky Derby appearance as the breeders of Rodriguez.

SIRE: Rodriguez is from the first crop of Authentic, who was named Horse of the Year and champion three-year-old male after winning the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in 2020. By six-time reigning leading sire Into Mischief, Authentic earned more than $7 million.

DAM: Rodriguez is the third stakes winner out of Cherokee Run mare Cayala and counts as a half-brother of One Liner, who was on the 2017 Triple Crown trail after winning his first three career starts, including the Southwest (G3), but was sidelined by injury. By Canadian champion and 1982 Travers (G1) winner Runaway Groom, Cherokee Run finished second in the 1993 Preakness and sixth in the Belmont before cutting back to sprints as an older horse, earning champion sprinter honors in 1994 after winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs. He sired a pair of juvenile champions, but Cherokee Run failed to make an impact on the Triple Crown as a sire or broodmare sire. Rodriguez counts 1997 Belmont winner Touch Gold as his second maternal broodmare sire, and his female family features a nice mix of speed and stamina.

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