Aqueduct stakes likely targets for Rodriguez pair

ELMONT, N.Y. – While trainer Rudy Rodriguez might be headed to the Breeders’ Cup with multiple Grade 1 winner Belle Gallantey, he expects to keep two of his other Grade 1 winners home for the fall.

Condo Commando, fourth as the favorite in the Grade 1 Frizette, and Dads Caps, second in the Grade 1 Vosburgh, are expected to make their next starts at Aqueduct.

Condo Commando, who won the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga, is likely to run next in the Grade 3, $250,000 Tempted Stakes on Nov. 1. Dads Caps, who won the Grade 1 Carter at Aqueduct, could be considered for one of three races – the Grade 3, $200,000 Bold Ruler here Oct. 25, the $350,000 De Francis Dash at Laurel on Nov. 15, or the Grade 3, $300,000 Fall Highweight at Aqueduct on Nov. 27.

Rodriguez said Condo Commando “didn’t run her race.”

“She looked like she came back good,” he said.

As for Dads Caps, Rodriguez said that owner Vincent Scuderi has a desire to run in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint but told Rodriguez that he would leave the decision to him. If that is indeed the case, then Rodriguez would like to keep the horse in New York.

“He likes Aqueduct,” Rodriguez said. “We have all winter here.”

Rodriguez said he has Sage Valley to run in whatever East Coast-based sprint he elects not to run Dads Caps in.