Rodriguez gives Desert Stone class hike in Pilgrim

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez said he is curious to see how Desert Stone handles the step up in class in his stakes debut Saturday in the Grade 3, $200,000 Pilgrim for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on Belmont Park's inner turf.

Owned by Zayat Stables, Desert Stone rallied from eighth at the top of the stretch to finish second, just two lengths behind Maraud, in his debut at 1 1/16 miles on turf September 2 at Saratoga Race Course.

Since then, the Irish-bred juvenile breezed on Saratoga's turf training track before shipping downstate, where he breezed four furlongs in 48.56 seconds last Saturday on Aqueduct Racetrack's main track. Desert Stone drew the rail in the eight-horse Pilgrim and is 12-1 on the morning line.

"He's been training good, and the owners wanted to take a shot, so we'll see how he does," Rodriguez said. "He seems to be getting better with his [works]. It's a tough step but we think he can handle the distance again. Breaking from the inside should help. It's a good test and we'll see where we are with him."