Rodriguez fields strong ‘B' team for Alex M. Robb

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – While his top New York-bred older route horse, Royal Posse, awaits the Jazil Stakes here on Jan. 14, trainer Rudy Rodriguez will still be well represented in Saturday’s $100,000 Alex M. Robb Stakes with Good Luck Gus and Becker’s Galaxy.

A field of seven was entered Wednesday for the Robb, a 1 1/16-mile race for New York-bred 3-year-olds and up, including last year’s winner, Empire Dreams.

Good Luck Gus finished third behind Empire Dreams and Saratoga Snacks in last year’s Robb. That was his only loss in three starts over the inner track. At 2, Good Luck Gus won the Damon Runyon and in February won the Haynesfield Stakes, defeating Royal Posse.

Good Luck Gus has dropped six straight since the Haynesfield, including a sixth-place finish behind Royal Posse in the Empire Classic.

Good Luck Gus drew post 7 and will be ridden by Angel Arroyo in the Robb. He may get some pace assistance from Becker’s Galaxy, who will break from the rail under Irad Ortiz Jr. Becker’s Galaxy was claimed for $25,000 by Rodriguez in October, and the horse finished second behind Loki’s Vengeance in a seven-furlong New York Stallion Stakes Series race on Nov. 25.

Also entered in the Robb were Wake Up in Malibu, Iron Power, Send It In, and Testosterstone.