Under the guidance of Ruben Silvera, Talk to Me Jimmy dominated the $200,000 Listed Wizards for Sophomores at Aqueduct Racecourse on Friday, winning by an impressive 11 lengths over nine furlongs while leading every step of the way. This New York-bred Modernist colt, trained and co-owned by Rudy Rodriguez for SEI Thoroughbreds, carries 12-1 odds to secure top qualifying points for the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, where points are awarded to the top five finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale.
Talk to Me Jimmy, purchased for just $31,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, marks a milestone as the first stakes winner from the stallion Connected, who earned his first Option Claim victory the previous day. Dustin Pusatere of SEI Thoroughbreds expressed cautious optimism, noting the competitive field and the significance of outperforming Gun Runner’s half-brother, Ottinho.
Originally postponed from January 31 due to extreme cold, the Wizards race saw Talk to Me Jimmy set a swift pace from post 6/7, battling closely with 3-2 favorite Schoolyard Superman. The horse maintained the lead through various splits—23.96 seconds for the first quarter mile, 48.18 seconds for the half, and 1:12.47 at three-quarters—before pulling away decisively to win in 1:51.68 on a fast track.
Rodriguez credited Talk to Me Jimmy’s surge in the stretch to Silvera’s tactical ride despite the horse seemingly sustaining a minor injury after colliding with Mailata early in the race. Rodriguez noted they would assess and treat the injury accordingly.
Meanwhile, maiden Grittines, ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., recovered from a poor start to finish strong enough to earn 10 qualifying points by edging out the promising Ottinho by half a length. Both Schoolyard Superman and Star Sweeper also placed, earning points along with other competitors.
Having raced shorter distances against state-bred competitors earlier, Talk to Me Jimmy now aims to tackle longer routes. Rodriguez plans to skip the Gotham Stakes and instead target the Grade 2, nine-furlong Wood Memorial on April 4, a major Kentucky Derby prep race.
Bred by Majestic View Farms International and out of the mare Prairie Trip, Talk to Me Jimmy boosted his earnings by $110,000, improving his career record to 3 wins, 2 places, and 1 show in 10 starts. Bettors saw a $26.54 return on a $2 wager on the winner.
Due to anticipated arctic temperatures and dangerously low wind chills expected over the weekend, live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack was canceled for Saturday and Sunday. Fans can still enjoy simulcast wagering during these days, with live action resuming on Wednesday with a nine-race card starting at 12:40 pm ET.
For ongoing coverage, America’s Day at the Races offers live analysis on FOX Sports, and NYRA Bets remains the official platform for wagering on all Winter Games races, available nationwide via its iOS and Android apps.
This story was originally published by Paulick Report on February 6, 2026.
Fan Take:
This commanding victory by Talk to Me Jimmy highlights the depth of emerging talent in New York-bred horses and signals a promising contender for the Kentucky Derby, raising excitement among fans eager to witness fresh rivalries at Churchill Downs. As the sport embraces competitive developments beyond traditional strongholds, such performances invigorate the racing landscape with new stories and possibilities for enthusiasts nationwide.
