Gotham Will Be The Target For 'Improving' Maiden Winner War Stopper
Rudy Rodriguez
Salerno Stables' War Stopper could parlay a maiden-breaking victory at fourth asking on January 11 at Aqueduct into his stakes debut, with trainer Rudy Rodriguez saying the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham on March 7 could be the next target.
War Stopper, who finished out of the money on turf in his first two starts, ran fifth in his main track debut at one mile at the Big A on December 7. Making his 3-year-old debut, the son of Declaration of War rebounded to lead a six-horse field gate-to-wire for a four-length score at one mile earlier this month, earning a 94 Beyer Speed Figure.
That effort set up a potential quick turnaround for the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers on Saturday at Aqueduct, offering 10-4-2-1 qualifying points to the top-four finishers to the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby. But Rodriguez said he prefers the extra time and would target the Gotham, a one-turn mile that will offer 50-20-10-5 qualifying points.
"Right now, we're not looking at the Withers, but you never know. Maybe the owners will change their mind, but right now, we're looking at the Gotham," Rodriguez said. "He was very good last time. We think the blinkers helped him a lot and we're just looking for him to keep improving."
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In his first official work since his victory, War Stopper breezed four furlongs in 53.03 seconds over the Belmont Park dirt training track Thursday.
E.V. Racing Stable's Water White could return to stakes action even sooner, with Rodriguez saying she has been training well heading into the $100,000 Busanda for 3-year-old fillies on Sunday, February 2.
A prep race for the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, the 47th running of the 1 1/8-mile Busanda will offer 10-4-2-1 qualifying points. Water White, who broke her maiden at third asking on November 5 at Aqueduct, will make her sophomore bow following a fifth-place finish in her stakes debut in the Grade 3 Demoiselle on December 7.
"The Busanda is the plan for her. She's ready to go," Rodriguez said. "She's been training good. She's going to have step up big time because the competition is going to get better and better. I've been very happy with her training."
Water White made her career debut on August 18, running fourth in a 6 ½-furlong sprint at Saratoga Race Course. She earned runner-up status and a personal-best 80 Beyer Speed Figure in her next start, finishing 1 ¼-lengths back to Maedean on October 5 at Belmont.
Following her win at one mile, the Conveyance filly was stretched out to the Busanda distance for the first time in the Demoiselle, where she rallied from seventh and battled in the stretch before being outkicked.
