Stroll Around the Bases for ‘A Rod”

Another GI Florida Derby hopeful, J. Armando Rodriguez’s General A Rod (Roman Ruler), was also on the worktab Saturday. The GII Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth S. runner-up went :51 1/5 for trainer Mike Maker. “We just worked him easy and he was push-button, as always,” Maker said. “It was nothing for him, just a stroll in the park. We didn’t ask him for anything. He came back like a routine gallop.” 
Winner of the Gulfstream Park Derby on New Year’s Day by a head over Wildcat Red (D’wildcat), he came up a head short after dueling with that foe throughout the Fountain of Youth. 
“He’s doing good, his weight’s good, his attitude’s good, and everything’s in place,” Maker said. “He was more aggressive after the race and full of himself, so he probably wanted to work sooner than I decided. Everything’s positive.” 
Maker gave an update on another of his Triple Crown hopefuls, the GIII Lecomte S. winner Vicar’s In Trouble (Into Mischief), who recently joined his string at Gulfstream. Maker said the Louisiana-bred would likely have his next work Mar. 15. In his last start, Vicar’s in Trouble was third from post 14 in the GII Risen Star at Fair Grounds Feb. 22.