Rodman left no doubt as to who was the best in the Apr. 14 Irish Tower S. at Aqueduct; the 6-year-old horse won by an easier-than-it-looked 3 1/2-lengths after leading from the opening bell in the one mile race on the main track.
[WATCH RACE]
Rodman becomes the fourth stakes winner, eighth stakes horse of 2011 for Malibu Moon. And the Irish Tower was the second stakes win in Rodman's career, following the Grade 3 Queens County H., also at Aqueduct, in Dec. 2009.
The veteran chestnut laid down a solid half-mile in :47.39, then spurted away from the field midway around the turn. He opened up about a half-dozen lengths in the stretch, then was geared down late by Ramon Dominguez to wrap the mile up in 1:34.71 and earn a 98 Beyer Speed Figure.
Rodman now sports a lifetime mark of 6-3-0 in 14 starts, earning $246,152. He has been trained throughout his career by Michael Hushion for Barry K. Schwartz, who bought Rodman as a yearling for $150,000 Keeneland September sale.
After finishing 2010 as the nation's third-leading sire by earnings, Malibu Moon is once again ranked in the top 10 in 2011 in the same category, and also in the top 3 by winners, with 46 to date. Malibu Moon has sired stakes winners coast to coast this year, including Hot Summer, winner of the Grade 3 Comely S. on April 9.