Rodriguez prefers to keep Talk to Me Jimmy with statebreds

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Rudy Rodriguez convinced his majority owners of Talk to Me Jimmy to skip races like the Belmont Stakes for the New York Derby last Monday at Finger Lakes. That’s why Rodriguez was relieved to see Talk to Me Jimmy edge clear of a stubborn rival in Sculcos Folly to win the New York Derby for statebreds by 1 3/4 lengths.

The pair went fast early but came home slow in the stretch. In the end, Talk to Me Jimmy’s ability to run a distance of ground prevailed as Sculcos Folly, who had won four straight one-turn races, couldn’t see out the 1 1/16 miles.

Rodriguez said his owners had mentioned the Travers as a potential summer goal, but Rodriguez’s preference would be to keep Talk to Me Jimmy with New York-breds and point for the $200,000 Albany on Aug. 23.

“I’m still going to talk to them and try to convince them to run in the Albany,” Rodriguez said. “If they make their own decision they’re more than welcome, meaning the Travers. The way he won I don’t think they should be thinking about Travers.”

Talk to Me Jimmy’s final time of 1:46.67 for 1 1/16 miles was .48 seconds slower than the time recorded earlier on the card by Venetta in the New York Oaks. Venetta, who won her third straight race, will be pointed to the $200,000 Fleet Indian on Aug. 21, trainer Danny Gargan said.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.