Barnes has slipped in popularity, partly based on a disappointing blinkers-off workout Sunday at Santa Anita. Barnes was outworked by Rodriguez, a stablemate he defeated by more than nine lengths while finishing second in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 1. The tables turned in the workout. Barnes pressed Rodriguez from the outside, but Barnes could not get past his rival and pulled up soon after the finish while Rodriguez went another furlong. It was a puzzling work by Barnes, five furlongs in 1:00. “I was trying something different with Barnes,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “I tried him without the blinkers. He didn’t like it.” It was the second straight drill in which Barnes was outworked. Cornucopian went better than Barnes on March 17. Baffert indicated Barnes would be re-equipped with blinkers. Where will he run next? :: DRF Road to the Derby Package Available Now! Save 37% on key handicapping essentials through Kentucky Derby Day. “He’s going to be nominated everywhere. Next week’s work will decide everything,” Baffert said this week. Barnes has won 2 of 3 starts. His 105 Beyer Speed Figure finishing second to Journalism in the San Felipe is the fourth-highest figure by a 3-year-old this year. Rodriguez headed out of town As for Rodriguez, his workout suggests he is coming back around. He is likely to ship for his next start. A distant third in the San Felipe, Rodriguez “won” the workout by a half-length over Barnes. Rodriguez went out another eighth after the wire. His six-furlong time was 1:13.20. Blinkers off may have helped him; he is a better colt than he showed in the San Felipe. “For some reason he just lost his composure last time,” Baffert said. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2025: Top contenders, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more In the San Felipe, Rodriguez pressed the pace but offered little late and lost by more than 11 lengths. Rodriguez previously won a maiden route with a 100 Beyer and finished second to Citizen Bull in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis on Feb. 1. “We’re looking for something out of town with him, Wood or Blue Grass,” Baffert said. Both races are April 5. The Baffert-trained Citizen Bull, the 2024 champion juvenile male, remains on target for the Santa Anita Derby on April 5 after a solo workout in 59.80 seconds on Sunday. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.