Rodriguez, Baeza Have Last Local Works Ahead of Derby

[Wandering Eyes]

The Southern California-based duo of Rodriguez (Authentic) and Baeza (McKinzie) turned in their final local works before shipping to Churchill Downs for the May 3 GI Kentucky Derby Sunday at Santa Anita.

Baeza worked in company with stablemate Atitlan (The Factor), a multiple graded stakes winner on turf, for trainer John Shirreffs. Working under jockey Hector Berrios, the GI Santa Anita Derby runner-up was officially credited with a seven-furlong work in 1:28.00 (3/4). Shirreffs clocked the colt in 1:28.20.

“Because his morning gallops have been a little on the easy side, I wanted to give him a longer work to put a little more air in him and with a good finish,” Shirreffs said.

Baeza's work was his second since finishing second behind Journalism (Curlin) in the Apr. 5 Santa Anita Derby. He went four furlongs in :50.00 (39/52) Apr. 14.

Shirreffs said Baeza will depart for Kentucky on either Wednesday or Thursday.

“It depends on the space available, but the sooner the better,” Shirreffs said.

Baeza, who sits 23rd on the Derby points list, needs three defections to make it into the gate for the 1 1/4-mile race. Should he make the field, Flavien Prat will have the mount.

Rodriguez, last-out winner of the GII Wood Memorial, worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 (13/74) Sunday at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Baffert.

“All went well,” Baffert said.

Baffert added Rodriguez and stablemate Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) will ship to Churchill Downs either Tuesday or Thursday.

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