Rodriguez Continues Roll With Debut Winners

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez continued his recent string of success with first-time starters on Wednesday at Saratoga Race Course by sending out Pancakesandbatter to a victory in the day's fourth race, a $75,000 maiden claiming event for 2-year-olds.

Pancakesandbatter, owned by Michael Dubb, broke from the rail and settled behind a dawdling early pace of 23.72 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.70 for the half. The Henrythenavigator colt remained along the rail entering the stretch under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., who waited patiently for a hole to open.

Once a seam finally presented itself, the bay colt split horses willingly and drew off to a very professional 1 ¼-length win.

"It wasn't a fast race, but he did it the right way," said Rodriguez. "We taught him how to take dirt and taught him how to behave. The race fell apart and he was able to split horses. Irad rode a perfect race."

Son of accomplished turf runner Henrythenavigator, Rodriguez was tempted to enter Pancakesandbatter on the grass, but was dissuaded by the caliber of turf races at the Spa.

"The grass maiden special weight races here looked very, very tough, so I figured we'd run him for $75,000 [on dirt]," said Rodriguez. "If he got claimed, OK; if not, we'll figure out what to do with him. He was training good on the grass here, but when I saw the horses entered I said, 'Why am I going to do that?' We took a chance and he ran good."

While Pancakesandbatter's pedigree gives Rodriguez options, the trainer says he will stick to dirt racing for the foreseeable future.

"I don't know what I'll do with him now; I'm just going to enjoy the win right now," he said. "We could maybe take him to Philadelphia or Laurel and run in a little stakes over there. He ran a good race and I think he wants to go a little longer. I'll keep him on the dirt until he tells me otherwise."