THE DAY AT THE RACES

Rudy Rodriguez will be allowed to pursue his dream.

The trainer, who will turn 41 on May 1, will be allowed to saddle

Vyjack in the May 4 Kentucky Derby.

Rodriguez had to appear before the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s License Review Committee on Tuesday, which voted to grant him a license, but with a condition — Vyjack will be under 24-hour video surveillance while stabled at Churchill Downs.

“That’s fine,” Rodriguez said by phone Wednesday afternoon from the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland where Vyjack is stabled. “I have nothing to hide.”

Rodriguez drew the attention of Kentucky regulators because he recently completed a 20-day suspension in New York after having two overages of Flunixin — an anti-inflammatory — and has another overage that occurred in March that the New York State Gaming Commission has yet to rule on. He was also a former employee of Rick Dutrow Jr., who is serving a 10-year ban from racing in New York for drug violations.

Rodriguez admitted to The News that he was nervous on the flight down but is relieved to be going to the May 4 Derby.

“This is every horseman’s dream (to saddle a horse in the Kentucky Derby),” Rodriguez said. “He’s doing great, and I think he’s ready to run a big race.”

Rodriguez said the gelding will likely work on Friday at Fair Hill before shipping to Louisville on Saturday afternoon.

Black Caviar, the two-time reigning Australian Horse of the Year, has been retired. The 6-yearold mare won all 25 of her starts, including 15 Group I races, while earning $7,497,754. In her final start, she won the Group I T.J. Smith Stakes on April 13 by three lengths. n Santa Anita Derby winner

Goldencents worked four furlongs in :48.40 on Wednesday at Santa Anita. The 3-year-old colt is trained by Doug O’Neill, who saddled last year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I’ll Have Another.

The Lumber Guy was named the New York-bred 2012 Horse of the Year Monday night at Saratoga. He was also named the champion male sprinter and the champion 3-year-old male. He won four of eight starts in 2012, including the Grade I Vosburgh Stakes.