Rodriguez

Connections

Owner: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine
Breeders: Kingswood Farm & David Egan
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith

Rodriguez: 2025 Kentucky Derby Contender Profile

Rodriguez, a 3-year-old colt by Authentic out of Cayala, heads into the 2025 Kentucky Derby with a strong record, highlighted by a victory in the Wood Memorial (G2) on April 5, 2025, at Aqueduct, winning by 1 length in 1:48.08. He also secured a maiden win at Santa Anita and placed in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) and Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3). With a pedigree featuring Into Mischief, Cherokee Run, and Touch Gold, Rodriguez blends speed and stamina, making him a top contender for the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2025.

Pedigree

Rodriguez
├── Sire: Authentic
│   ├── Sire: Into Mischief
│   └── Dam: Flawless (by Mr. Greeley)
└── Dam: Cayala
    ├── Sire: Cherokee Run
    └── Dam: Chasethegold (by Touch Gold)

1st Generation Pedigree

• Sire: Authentic
  Authentic, the 2020 Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year, won the Derby in a then-record 1:59.19 for 1 1/4 miles. He also won the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic and stands at Spendthrift Farm for $60,000 in 2025. Authentic has sired winners like The Last Straw, who beat Rodriguez in his debut.
• Dam: Cayala
  Cayala, by Cherokee Run, is a winning mare who has produced Rodriguez and another winner, Klairi Drems, from five foals of racing age. Her family includes stakes-placed runners, and her dam is now confirmed as Chasethegold.

2nd Generation Pedigree

• Authentic’s Parents (Rodriguez’s Paternal Grandparents)
  Authentic’s sire is Into Mischief, a leading sire by Harlan’s Holiday who has sired multiple Kentucky Derby winners, including Authentic (2020) and Mandaloun (2021). Authentic’s dam is Flawless, by Mr. Greeley, a stakes-placed mare who won at 6 furlongs. This paternal line gives Rodriguez a blend of speed and stamina.
• Cayala’s Parents (Rodriguez’s Maternal Grandparents)
  Cayala’s sire is Cherokee Run, a 1994 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner by Runaway Groom, known for producing speed-oriented runners like War Pass (2007 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner) and some with distance ability, like Kafwain (a 2003 Kentucky Derby contender). Cayala’s dam is Chasethegold, by Touch Gold, a 1997 Belmont Stakes winner who upset the Triple Crown bid of Silver Charm. Chasethegold herself was a stakes winner, taking the 2005 Senator Ken Maddy Handicap (G3) at 6 ½ furlongs, and her sire Touch Gold adds a classic-winning influence to Rodriguez’s pedigree.

Additional Notes on Rodriguez’s Pedigree

• Paternal Line (Authentic): Into Mischief provides speed and versatility, while Authentic’s own success at 1 1/4 miles in the 2020 Kentucky Derby (1:59.19) suggests Rodriguez inherits classic stamina. Flawless, by Mr. Greeley, adds a layer of sprinting speed, balancing the pedigree for versatility.
• Maternal Line (Cayala): Cherokee Run, a 1994 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner, brings speed to the lineage, seen in Rodriguez’s early pace in races like the Wood Memorial. Chasethegold, by Touch Gold, enhances the pedigree with stamina—Touch Gold’s 1997 Belmont Stakes win at 1 ½ miles indicates distance capability, while Chasethegold’s own stakes win at 6 ½ furlongs complements Cherokee Run’s sprinting prowess. This combination supports Rodriguez’s ability to stretch out, as evidenced by his 1:48.08 win in the 1 1/8-mile Wood Memorial.
• Pedigree Fit for the Derby: Rodriguez’s pedigree now reflects a stronger classic influence with Chasethegold’s sire, Touch Gold, a Belmont Stakes winner. The Authentic-Cherokee Run cross, paired with Touch Gold’s stamina, positions Rodriguez well for the 1 1/4-mile Derby distance, especially given his front-running style in the Wood Memorial, though his ability to rate off the pace (as seen in earlier races) will be key in the 20-horse field.

Race Record for Rodriguez