Issues have been powerful for coach Rudy Rodriguez recently, however he had a really completely different feeling as he watched the stretch run of the $200,000 Wizards Stakes at Aqueduct on Feb. 6.
Rodriguez, who was provisionally suspended by the Horse Racing Integrity and Security Authority from Dec. 16 to Jan. 14, 2025, was all smiles when New York-bred Discuss to Me Jimmy simply received by 11 lengths on Feb. 6 within the 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Derby, a preparatory occasion for 3-year-old horses hosted by Woodford Reserve.
“I am very grateful to the homeowners for his or her persistence. It was a tough state of affairs and I feel I did the best factor. That is all I find out about taking good care of the horses. I instructed the homeowners that in the event that they needed to maneuver the horses they may transfer them. However they did not need the horses to be with me. I feel the time without work helped (Discuss to Me Jimmy) quite a bit. So, thank God, issues occur for a motive and it labored out,” stated Rodriguez, who agreed to make some modifications to the horse and had his suspension lifted. We’ll be showcasing his coaching strategies and donating $10,000 to the aftercare program.
Discuss to Me Jimmy ($26.54), owned by SEI Thoroughbred and Rodriguez, earned 20 factors heading into his Kentucky Derby begin after working 1 1/8 miles in 1 minute, 51.68 seconds. The Wizards was held six days later than the initially scheduled date of January thirty first as a result of winter climate and frigid temperatures.
After ending third in his debut race on September twenty sixth, Rodriguez outfitted the Modernist-bred with blinkers and received the primary state-bred mile race on November ninth by 5 and a half lengths.
As soon as his suspension was lifted, his objective was to make an enormous bounce to the Kentucky Derby.
Street to the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard
“He would not know he grew up within the state,” Rodriguez stated.
That velocity was on show in Wizards, the place he took an early lead within the quarter-mile part by a slim margin of 23.96 seconds and 48.18 seconds. Though he was challenged by the favored College Yard Superman, who had 3 wins and a pair of losses, he elevated his result in three lengths on the finish of six furlongs with a time of 1 minute 12.47 seconds, after which rapidly rose below Ruben Silvera to take the lead by six and a half lengths on the eighth pole.
Coach Rodriguez stated Discuss to Me Jimmy will likely be nominated for the April 4 Wooden Memorial Stakes.
“He grabbed himself slightly bit (in the best entrance quarter). We do not understand how unhealthy it’s but, however we’ll see and clear up,” Rodriguez stated. “Thanks for letting me see it. I’ll soak it in sizzling water and Epsom salt and take excellent care of it.”
Lepore Secure’s maiden horse, Grittines, made a comeback from final place to take second place in a subject of seven horses. The son of Todd Pletcher coach Carlin earned 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying factors and presently has 11 factors.
Three Chimneys Farm’s Ottinho, a product of High quality Street and a half-brother to coach Chad Brown’s 2017 Horse of the 12 months Gun Runner, completed a half-length behind in third place and scored six factors.
Discuss to Me Jimmy, produced by Majestic View Farms Worldwide out of the Trippi mare Prairie Journey, was bought for $31,000 from a Vinary Sale consignment on the 2024 Keeneland September Purchaser Sale.
Discuss to Me Jimmy was Modernist’s first stakes winner, successful his division within the 2020 Risen Star Stakes and incomes $576,300.
