Churchill Downs' Tepin Stakes an option for Water White

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez, who is currently caring for a stable of 55 horses, said he is keen to get back to business at Belmont Park, where the meet is under delay because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Live racing was last conducted on the NYRA circuit on March 15 at Aqueduct.

"This is our livelihood, and we can't keep just training the horses up. The horses are ready to run," said Rodriguez. "We're following all the protocols and taking precautions. We've been washing our hands, wearing face masks and trying to do everything we can to stay safe."

Rodriguez sent out stakes winners Water White (1:02.23) and Not That Brady (1:02.36) to breeze five furlongs Wednesday on the dirt training track at Belmont.

E.V. Racing Stable's Water White, last out winner of the Busher Invitational on March 7 at Aqueduct, has worked steadily for the veteran conditioner. 

Bred in Kentucky by Richard Forbush, the 3-year-old Conveyance gray graduated at third asking in November at Aqueduct ahead of a fifth in the Demoiselle (G2) at nine furlongs in December. She followed up with a five-wide second in the 1 1/8-mile Busanda in her season debut in February ahead of her Busher breakthrough.

Rodriguez said he is considering entering Water White in the $100,000 Tepin, a one-mile turf test slated for May 23 at Churchill Downs.

"Right now, I'm taking a look at the condition book for Churchill Downs. Our owners have been very patient," said Rodriguez. "She (Water White) is training very well right now. I'll nominate her to the Tepin and see. She's ready to go."

Rodriguez said he would also consider the Acorn (G1), a one-mile test for sophomore fillies, currently scheduled for June 6 at the delayed Belmont meet.

Not That Brady, co-owned by Rodriguez with Michael Imperio, Lianna Stables, and R. A. Hill Stable, made his name with a victory in the 2018 Damon Runyon.

Bred in New York by KatieRich Farms, the Big Brown chestnut finished second in the 2019 Withers (G3) and was a pace-setting fifth in the Wood Memorial (G2). After stepping off the Kentucky Derby trail, he finished second in the New York Derby at Finger Lakes in July but was off the board in his final three starts of his sophomore season.

Rodriguez said Not That Brady had throat surgery during his time off following a fifth-place finish in the Empire Classic in October at Belmont. The popular chestnut resumed training in April and has breezed four times.

"He's doing good. He had throat surgery to improve his airways and hopefully that will help him," said Rodriguez. "We'll see how he comes back. When we open here, he'll be ready to run."