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There has been a lot of talk and speculation on former 5% jockey Rudy Rodriguez, who has turned into a 33% trainer.

Claire Novak wrote an interesting piece for the Times Union entitled Winner’s circle brings scrutiny.

 

Anytime horseplayers see a new trainer hitting at a 30%+ rate, the talk turns to cheating. Or does Rudy just get up earlier than everyone else?

Rodriguez has spent a lot of time on the backstretch as exercise rider and jockey, spending much of that time around the Richard Dutrow barn.

So far at least, Rodriguez is checking out clean, even though the New York Racing Association has his barn under 24 hour surveillance.

Rodriguez has moved up just about every horse he has gotten his hands on, and is winning at a 47% clip first off the claim.

Here are the Beyer Speed Figures for the horses he claimed, followed by the number earned in his first win for Rodriguez:

37-72

26-79

78-89

76-90

62-73

85-92

37-89

Of the seven horses that he claimed that won in their next start, the average Beyer went from 57 to 83.

Something seems to be working for RRod. Maybe I need to start getting up earlier in the morning too.

SPAbabies

SAR Race 2 Md Sp Wt (1:35 ET)

#7 Valiant Passion   15/1

#5 Inflation Hedge   3/1

#1 Shaaraat   4/1

#3 Town Flirt   4/1

 

Analysis: #7 Valiant Passion makes her debut here for the Nicks barn that sent out firster Button Girl ($15.60) on Aug. 9 that we caught as our top pick. He also sent out Pawleys Porch at 11/1 for his debut and he was beaten a neck. Overall the barn hits at a 22% clip (with a +ROI) with first time starters. The filly was a $11K Keeneland purchase by Lion Heart (12% winners with debut runners) out of a Quiet American mare that has dropped three foals to race, one winner to date, 2 for 12 New Yawker ($53K). Decent works on the morning tab and we should catch a decent price.

 

#5 Inflation Hedge is a $325K purchase making her debut for the Violette barn that is 27% winners (with a +ROI) with first time starters. The filly is by Badge of Silver out of the stakes winner Royal Vegas ($281K) who has dropped seven foals to race, all winners, top earner Skipping Around ($260K). Gomez takes the call for a barn that has them ready to go at first asking.

Wagering

WIN: #7 to win at 6/1 or better.

EX: 5,7 / 1,3,5,7

TRI: 5,7  / 1,3,5,7 / 1,3,5,7,9

 

Spa Featured Race of the Day:

 

SAR Race 8 NY Stallion Statue of Liberty (4:57 ET)

#4 In Te Domine   2/1

#7 Lindsay’s Point   12/1

#5 Healthy Debate   6/1

#1 In Your Dreams   5/1

 

Analysis: #4 In Te Domine is coming off a good looking win against state bred Alw-1 foes on the turf at seven furlongs. The runner up and seventh place finisher came out of that race to graduate in their next starts. This filly was second in her first two career starts, both going long, so she should be able to handle the stretch out. She certainly has enough pedigree power to handle the route, by Freud out of an A.P. Indy mare. The Rice barn is 18% winners moving runners from sprint to route.

 

#7 Lindsay’s Point graduated in her last out in the mud going six furlongs off a two month break. Her 188 Tomlinson seems to make her out to be a runner better suited to dirt. However, two of her sibs have won on grass including stakes winner Dynamic Lisa ($218K). Johnny V. takes over from the bug and she figures to be a live longshot in here.

Wagering

WIN: #4 to win at 8/5 or better.

EX: 4,7 / 1,4,5,7

TRI: 4,7 / 1,4,5,7 / 1,4,5,7,9e

SPAshots for Wednesday

Horses to toss in your exotics at generous prices:

R1: #8 Parker’s Project   8/1

R2: #7 Valiant Passion   15/1

R3: #4 Rachael’s Sting   15/1

R4: #4 Berning Blaze   15/1

R5: #6 Green Bananas   12/1

R6: #6 Yan Yan   12/1

R8: #7 Lindsay’s Point   12/1

R9: #5 Fiery Rebel   15/1