Rodriguez Looks to Get On 'Track'

Off the Tracks | Lauren King photo

Conditioner Roderick Rodriguez is hoping to make a name for himself in the big leagues Friday when his trainee Off the Tracks (Curlin) steps up to the plate in Saratoga's GIII Schuylerville S. The Gulfstream Park West-based Rodriguez will face the likes of trainers Steve Asmussen, Wesley Ward and Todd Pletcher in Friday's test, and noted that running a horse at the Spa could be a turning point in a trainer's career.

“It's a way that us small trainers can prove ourselves,” Rodriguez said. “Being in Saratoga feels like being in the playoffs.”

The Panama native comes from a long line of horsemen, including his grandfather and father Felix. Rodriguez immigrated to the United States in 1981 and, after attending school in New Jersey, joined his father's barn at Calder. After working for his father, Rodriguez took out his training license in 1989 and trained at Penn National before returning to Calder.

In 1993, Rodriguez decided to take a hiatus from the racetrack.

“I took a little 11-year-break,” he said with a chuckle. In the interim, Rodriguez opened up a carpet business in Florida and worked at the Miami Airport. Rodriguez returned to the track as an assistant for then trainer Steve Young before again getting his own string in 2008.

Rodriguez currently trains 15 horses and is based at Gulfstream Park West. Off the Tracks, along with 2-year-old colt Mind Your Biscuits (Posse), are currently stabled at Saratoga–a decision Rodriguez said was prompted by Joaquin Guerrero of J Stable.

“I have a new owner who raced here last year and had coming back here in mind when his 2-year-olds were yearlings at the time,” the conditioner explained “He said his goal was to race at Saratoga, so here we are.”

Off the Tracks was successful in her unveiling at Gulfstream Park with a 4 1/4-length victory going five furlongs June 13, earning a 58 Beyer Speed Figure as the 8-5 favorite. She boasts an upbeat worktab, having covered a half-mile in :48 at Gulfstream Park West July 3 and three panels in :37 2/5 at Saratoga July 15.

“She's training well and is coming into this one well,” Rodriguez offered. “She had a serious workout before she left Florida. She had a workout [at Saratoga] just to get a handle of the track and she did it nice and easy.

“I'm a small trainer just coming up through the ranks, and I respect all the good trainers, but I think this filly is going to run a big race.”

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