Rodriguez, a dark bay colt foaled in 2022, has finally set foot to challenge in a Triple Crown race in 2025. He has been unlucky with injury concerns. But he has gone out on the Saratoga racecourse as someone who could have snatched an upset win. He certainly has the talent, and he possesses the right attributes, including being a legendary trainer, a Hall of Fame jockey, and a great pedigree. We have been waiting for his Triple Crown debut.

Rodriguez is the son of 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic and the Cherokee Run mare Cayala. His pedigree blends elite speed with stamina, positioning him well for not only the 1 1/4-mile 2025 Belmont Stakes but also for the future. Under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and veteran jockey Mike Smith, Rodriguez has made significant progress, particularly with his front-running style.

Who Owns Rodriguez?

Rodriguez is owned by a high-profile partnership consisting of SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC, and Donovan, Catherine. This deep ownership group has had notable success with previous Derby and Triple Crown contenders.

Bred in Kentucky by Kingswood Farm and David Egan, Rodriguez became a part of this elite syndicate in 2023 when he was bought for $485,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. And guess what, they also own another Baffert trainee, Citizen Bull, who won the 2024 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. And that’s not all. Individually, the different entities have owned some of the most successful thoroughbreds in recent times, like Kentucky Derby winner Authentic, Triple Crown winner Justify, and more.

Who trains Rodriguez?

Rodriguez’s early training is a powerhouse mix of elite genetics and expert guidance. And for that, he had the legendary Bob Baffert, one of the best in the business at transforming young horses into racing dynamos. And as for numbers, this legend holds the record for most Grade One wins in North America. He has the most Kentucky Derby wins, the most Preakness Stakes wins, and 3 wins in the Belmont.

Add to that 2-time Triple Crown wins in 2015 and 2018. Baffert is the face of thoroughbred racing, which is why eyes were on Rodriguez. He had held his 3-year-old colt back, giving enough time for recovery. No doubt, Baffert wanted a Triple Crown race victory, adding to his wins in 2001, 2015, and 2018. The 2021 one saw Point Given win by a margin of 12 1/2 lengths.

Baffert brings decades of experience and a sharp tactical mind to his race preparations. He’s managed Rodriguez’s development patiently, guiding the colt through a carefully curated schedule of prep races.

Who Is Rodriguez’s Jockey?

Mike Smith, a Hall of Famer with 3 Belmont Stakes victories, is the regular rider for Rodriguez. At 59 years of age, the iconic trainer is still looking to add to his accolades. Smith’s calm demeanor and experience make him a perfect fit for a horse like Rodriguez, who tends to get uptight pre-race. As Smith noted after the Wood Memorial win, “If you get him to breathe, he’s gonna run.”

Mike Smith’s career is a victory lap in itself, with wins in multiple Kentucky Derbies, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, plus a stack of Breeders’ Cup trophies to his name. He’s the kind of jockey every owner wants in their corner, calm under pressure and always getting the best out of his mount. So, for Rodriguez, Smith’s steady hand and sharp focus have been a game-changer.

Something to note – Smith was on the saddle of Arrogate, a Bob Baffert-trained colt that holds the track-record time at Saratoga. Racing a mile and a quarter at Saratoga Springs in the 2016 Travers Stakes, Arrogate won the race wire to wire in one of the most dominant runs of the 21st century.

What Are Rodriguez’s Career Earnings?

As of June 2025, Rodriguez had earned $622,800 in career earnings. His injury has limited his race involvement. The 3-year-old colt hadn’t raced for more than 3 months before the Belmont. But, in his short yet consistent spell, Rodriguez has earned 2 wins. His most lucrative performance came in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial, which had a purse of $750,000. Winning it helped Baffert secure 100 Derby points, which would have seen him in the Kentucky Derby if he had not gotten injured.

What Are Rodriguez’s Racing Stats and Past Performances?

Overall, his race record stands at 6 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, and 1 fourth. Rodriguez made his debut as a 2-year-old at Del Mar on November 23, 2024, charging to a strong second place in a loaded maiden race. Not long after, he claimed his first victory at Santa Anita in a maiden special weight (MSW) race on January 4, 2025, showing he was ready to compete at the top.

His second-place finish in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes was followed by 2 G2 races. In the San Felipe on March 1, he came third behind Journalism and Barnes. But at the Wood Memorial, on April 5, he was spectacular. His commanding wire-to-wire win in the Wood Memorial earned him a berth in the Derby gate. In the 2025 Belmont Stakes, he finished fourth, bringing in the Triple Crown journey to a close.

What Is Rodriguez’s Pedigree and Bloodline?

Rodriguez boasts a pedigree that’s built for brilliance—a perfect blend of elite speed and staying power. He’s sired by Authentic, the blazing-fast Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, whose own sire is the powerhouse Into Mischief, who has sired many winning thoroughbreds.

On the dam’s side, Rodriguez gets his grit from Cayala, a daughter of Cherokee Run, known for passing on both heart and hustle, and granddaughter of the tough-as-nails Touch Gold. With bloodlines like these, Rodriguez doesn’t just run—he charges with purpose. Chasethegold, the dam’s dam, was a stakes winner herself, adding depth to the maternal line.

This well-rounded pedigree gives Rodriguez the tools to handle the distance and competition in any of the upcoming races.