Wudda U Think Now and jockey Dylan Davis head to the winner’s circle after Saturday’s Alex M. Robb at Aqueduct. Joe Labozzetta/NYRA Photo.
Wudda U Think Now loves Aqueduct. The Elkstone Group’s 5-year-old Fast Anna gelding came into Saturday’s $100,000 Alex M. Robb Stakes for older New York-breds with five wins in nine starts at the Big A – not counting a decent fourth last time out in the Hudson Stakes on Empire Showcase Day at the so-called Belmont at the Big A meeting.
Wudda U Think Now added a sixth win in the 1-mile Alex M. Robb, saving ground most of the way and giving the field the slip turning for home en route to a 3 1/4-length win over Sea Foam as the second longest shot on the board. Sent off 9-1 in the field of seven, Wudda U Think Now won his third stakes of 2022 after taking the 6-furlong Hollie Hughes in February and the 6-furlong John Morrissey in August.
“We were a little concerned about the distance, but he went a mile at Aqueduct [as a 3-year-old],” winning trainer Rudy Rodriguez said. “He loves Aqueduct and he loves the winter. As soon as the winter gets to him, he gets stronger in the mornings. He’s a nice horse to be around.”
Wudda U Think Now also pushed his earnings past $500,000 for owner Stuart Grant, adding $55,000 from the Alex M. Robb to go to $503,750 in his career from eight wins in 19 starts.
Dylan Davis, who also rode Venti Valentine to victory in the Bay Ridge Stakes Saturday, came away impressed in his first ride on the gelding.
“I’m always happy with one [stakes win], and if I can get a second one for the day, it’s always a bonus,” Davis said. “I’ve been working this horse a couple times and I’ve been very impressed with him. He’s aggressive, strong and I’m happy I got on him because he’s a horse where if you fight him too much, he’s going to get aggressive with you.”
Wudda U Think Now and Davis battled early for the lead from the inside with Empire Classic winner Dr. Blute to their outside and Sea Foam tracking in third. The top pair clicked off strong splits of :22.96 and :45.72 before Wudda U Think Now opened up by a length through 6 furlongs in 1:11.23.
Wudda U Think Now drew off from there, opening up 4 lengths in midstretch as Sea Foam rallied past Dr. Blute and into second. Sea Foam held second at the finish, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Perfect Munnings with Market Alert fourth and 2-1 favorite Barese sixth of seven. Wudda U Think Now won in 1:39.33 over the muddy and sealed main track.
“I was a little concerned because the other horse, Sea Foam, he’s a nice, solid horse, too,” Rodriguez said. “When I see him sitting third, I said, ‘Oh my God, we’re just setting the race up for him.’ But I think the track has changed a little bit. I thought the inside was a little tiring, but Dylan took him outside. I was a little concerned with him changing leads, but I think he changed leads because they went fast early and he was kind of tiring. But we got the job done.”
Bred by Mina Equivest LLC and foaled at Five Oak Farm in Saratoga, Wudda U Think Now is out of the stakes-placed Unbridled Jet mare Unbridled Grace.
Grant purchased Wudda U Think Now for $60,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. He’s one of five winners from five foals to race out of Unbridled Grace. In addition to Wudda U Think Now, Unbridled Grace is the dam of New York-bred stakes performers James Jingle and C d’Cat.
