Talk to Me Jimmy, a New York-bred son of Modernist, made a strong statement in the sophomore dirt division by winning the $200,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack by 11 lengths, earning the maximum Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Trained by Rudy Rodriguez and ridden by Ruben Silvera, Talk to Me Jimmy showed impressive stamina and speed, finishing with a career-best 83 Beyer Speed Figure despite sustaining a minor injury during the race. The colt, who previously won a maiden race with blinkers added, is being considered for several upcoming stakes races including the Gotham Stakes and Wood Memorial, both key Kentucky Derby prep races.

In addition to Talk to Me Jimmy’s success, Rodriguez’s stable also saw a dominant performance from Exhibition Only, a sophomore colt by Complexity, who won a one-turn mile maiden optional claimer at Aqueduct by 7 3/4 lengths with an 84 Beyer Speed Figure. Exhibition Only, like Talk to Me Jimmy, is likely to be nominated for the Gotham Stakes and other stakes races at Laurel Park. Both horses represent promising prospects for their connections, with Rodriguez expressing gratitude for their performances and potential on the Derby trail.