Unbeaten Barnes, who closed this weekend's Kentucky Derby Future Wager (Pool 3) as the individual 6-1 favorite, and stablemate Rodriguez each returned to the work tab Jan. 20 for trainer Bob Baffert. They were joined by another of Baffert's Derby prospects, Getaway Car.
Barnes worked four furlongs in :48 3/5, which was in the top 25% of 69 works at the distance. It was the Into Mischief colt's first work since romping to a 5 1/2-length victory in the Jan. 4 San Vicente Stakes (G2) going seven furlongs at Santa Anita Park. Owned by Zedan Racing, Baffert has said he is keeping his options open for Barnes by "nominating him everywhere" and then looking for the right spot.
Rodriguez, an eye-catching allowance winner going a mile also Jan. 4 at Santa Anita, worked in company with Getaway Car. Rodriguez and Getaway Car were both clocked in :47 3/5, the third-fastest time at the distance. Rodriguez, by Authentic , closed the Kentucky Derby pool at 22-1. Getaway Car, a Curlin colt who most recently was second in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) in December, closed at 83-1 in the Future Wager.
Continuing to gear up for trainer Dan Blacker was Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Straight No Chaser, who fired a bullet Jan. 20 when working five furlongs in :59 1/5. Straight No Chaser is ticketed for a trip to the Middle East next month to contest the $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
