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Rodriguez enters triumvirate for G3 Excelsior

by Najja Thompson

On the heels of capturing the Aqueduct Racetrack winter meet training title last Saturday, trainer Rudy Rodriguez has no plans to slow down this spring entering three contenders for the Grade 3, $150,000 Excelsior for 4-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles Saturday at the Big A.

The Excelsior joins four additional graded stakes on the day, including the Grade 1, $400,000 Carter Handicap, the Grade 2, $300,000 Gazelle, the Grade 3, $250,000 Bay Shore, and highlighted by the 94th running of the Grade 2, $1 million Wood Memorial.

Michael Dubb and David Simon's Control Group is the most accomplished runner in the field. A New York-bred son of Posse, the 4-year-old enters the Excelsior on a three-race win streak, all at Aqueduct, including an impressive three-length victory in the Grade 3 Discovery last November. Last Saturday, he captured the Mr. Sinatra at Aqueduct, but Rodriguez has few concerns returning the colt for the Excelsior off just a week's rest.

"Tactically, if we can utilize his speed and it looks like he can steal the race on paper then we'll run him," said Rodriguez. "He's training well and there aren't many mile and an eighth two-turn races on the circuit after this meet until Saratoga so we're looking to take advantage of that."

Control Group will depart from post 7 with Kendrick Carmouche aboard.

Also enter for Rodriguez is Admiral Blue for owner Leon Blusiewicz and Wild About Deb for owner Marisa Lizza.

Transferred to Rodriguez barn after running fifth in the Grade 3 Native Dancer last November at Del Mar, Wild About Deb made his first start for his new trainer on March 3,winning an allowance race at Aqueduct.

"He's been doing very good and improving since we've gotten him," said Rodriguez. "He looks like a horse that likes the mile and eighth distance after his win last time at the distance so we think he's earned a shot here."

Wild About Deb will depart from post 4 with Hall of Famer John Velezquez in the irons.

Admiral Blue is looking to rebound off a fourth-place finish in the Harrison E. Johnson Memorial on March 17 at Laurel Park. The 5-year-old son of Admiral Alex has one win from four starts at the distance coming in an allowance win on February 1 at the distance at Aqueduct.

"He's been training good as well," said Rodriguez. "He's going to take a big step up here in competition, but he's been training well so we'll see how he does."

Admiral Blue will leave from post 6 with Junior Alvarado aboard.

Harlan Punch well be looking to rebound off a fourth-place finish last Saturday in the Caixa Eletronica at the Big A.

The 5-year-old gelding by Harlan's Holiday has three wins from five starts this year and has an impressive four wins from seven starts at Aqueduct.

Harlan Punch, owned and trained by David Jacobson will leave from post 5 with Dylan Davis aboard.

Rounding out the field is Backsideofthemoon for trainer Leo O'Briend and Lake Lonely Racing; Discreet Lover for owner and trainer Uriah St. Lewis; and Zanotti for trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero and Ten Strike Racing.