Rodriguez the first Kentucky Derby (G1) starter for Authentic

Rodriguez wrapped up his serious Kentucky Derby (G1) preparations on April 27 with a five-furlong work in one minute flat, a sparkling effort that had all who watched, including his trainer Bob Baffert, very impressed.

The son of 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic was, “Amazing,” according to his rider Martin Garcia. “He was in hand all the way.”

“Yes, it was an amazing work,” Baffert echoed.

Rodriguez, from Authentic’s first crop, is the leading earner this year for his sire. Authentic’s 2020 Derby win was part of his Horse of the Year campaign that ended with a win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

To this point in his career, Rodriguez has faced several other Derby entrants in his prep races. He defeated the highly-regarded Baeza by seven lengths in his maiden win, placed in both the Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) and San Felipe against Citizen Bull and Journalism, and defeated Grande in the Wood Memorial (G2). Never off the board in five starts, he has earned $522,800 for SF Racing LLC (Gavin Murphy), Starlight Racing (Jack Wolf), Madaket Stables LLC (Sol Kumin), Stonestreet Stables LLC (Barbara Banke), Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables (Matt Dorman), Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC (W. Gregg Slager) & Catherine Donovan.

Rodriguez drew post 4 in the Derby and will be ridden by Mike Smith, who was aboard in the Wood.

Post time for the Derby, race 12 on the card, is 6:57 pm ET.