Barry Schwartz’s Rodman is one of the most impressive maiden winners on the inner track this season, triumphing under a hand ride going six furlongs January 31. In Wednesday’s featured eighth race, an entry-level allowance optional claimer for three-year-olds at one mile, the son of Malibu Moon will be tested around two turns.

Sent off at 8-1 for his debut, Rodman broke a couple steps slowly from the inside post and gradually moved into a contending position beneath jockey Channing Hill. The most significant part of his maiden win was the stretch run. Under a hand ride, Rodman continued to rally, splitting horses and drawing clear by five lengths.

“I was a little worried the pace was too slow, but coming off the turn, I knew I had them all beat,” Hill said. “He ran for about an eighth of a mile the whole race. When I asked him to run through the spot, he just kicked clear and once he got through there he just went back to coasting. ”

Hill is not concerned one bit about the added distance of Wednesday’s race.

“I think distance will only help him,” Hill said of the colt with A.P. Indy and Affirmed in his pedigree. “I think he’ll be closer to the pace than he was last time.”

The pace is likely to be set by Elixir, one of two horses entered by trainer Bruce Levine. Elixir barely failed to hold off Spurrier in a March 5th allowance. Loaves and Dishes, the other part of the Levine entry is more of a threat from off the pace.