Rojo Rita

Though he won the 2022 GI Florida Derby with White Abarrio (Race Day), Saffie Joseph, Jr. isn't necessarily thought of as someone to fear on the roads to the GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Kentucky Derby. His bread and butter remains claimers and tough older horses like the now 5-year-old White Abbario and Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), who won this year's GII Oaklawn Handicap and the GII Charles Town Classic Stakes. But that may be about to change. It's early yet and Todd Pletcher has yet to send his first string to...

Rojo Rita (Volatile) gave her connections something to celebrate here as she cruised home the easiest of winners in this unveiling, and secured her nod as the newest 'TDN Rising Star' in the process. An $80,000 Keeneland September purchase in 2023, Rojo Rita has been working steadily at Palm Meadows before this debut, with her Nov. 1 five-furlong work over that main track in :59.35 being rated as the fastest of five on the morning. Her Nov. 8 four-panel breeze went in :48.25, and she was rated fourth fastest of...