Rodriguez might send horses to Maryland

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – With the New York Racing Association preparing to shut down the Aqueduct backstretch in early May, trainer Rudy Rodriguez was looking to send a string of horses to Parx for the summer.

But that track has been dealing with an equine herpesvirus quarantine that is prohibiting horses from shipping in or out until at least the middle of May.

As a result, Rodriguez might send a string to Maryland. The horses could be based at Pimlico – at least for May – where he plans to run several horses in stakes during Preakness week.

“Maryland is definitely an option,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez is planning to run All Star Red, a recent second-level allowance winner, and Dads Caps, the two-time Grade 1 Carter winner, in a the Grade 3, $150,000 Maryland Sprint Stakes on the Preakness undercard.