Rodriguez enters three in Excelsior Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Rudy Rodriguez trains three of the seven horses entered in Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Excelsior Stakes at 1 1/8 miles.

Control Group, who just won the Mr. Sinatra last Saturday at Aqueduct, would be wheeling back in a week after having his last two races spaced two months apart. Wild About Deb, who won a first-level allowance race here on March 3, and Admiral Blue, fourth in the Henry E. Johnson Memorial at Laurel on March 17, also were entered by Rodriguez.

Harlan Punch, fourth as the 3-5 favorite in the Caixa Eletronica last Saturday, is also entered by David Jacobson to wheel back in a week. He had won three straight, including the Stymie, before last week.

Zanotti, the winner of the Queens County here in December, Discreet Lover, and Backsideofthemoon complete the field.

◗ Starting Saturday, the New York Racing Association will begin offering a late pick five on the last five races on each card. However, like last year, the wager is restricted to players with a NYRA Bets advance-deposit wagering account or those who play ontrack or at a New York simulcast facility. It is a 50-cent-minimum wager and has a 15 percent takeout.