Doug O'Neill | Horse Racing Free Tips

Hot Rod Charlie Works Ahead Of Breeders’ Cup Classic Try

Hot Rod Charlie had his penultimate workout this morning for the $6 million Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 6 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., going seven furlongs under regular rider Flavien Prat in 1:26 and change, according to Doug O'Neill.

The son of Oxbow's time on Santa Anita's official work tab was 1:26.80.

“He galloped out good and we're feeling good,” said Santa Anita's leading trainer. “He'll ship Wednesday to Del Mar where he'll have his final work.”

With the likes of committed speedsters Medina Spirit, Knicks Go, and Art Collector pointing to the Classic, it could prove beneficial for Hot Rod Charlie's stalking style, although he has speed should he choose to use it early on.

“Today he sat off a workmate and there were a couple others out there from other barns, so he kind of sat in behind three horses, split 'em turning for home and finished up good,” O'Neill said. “He had a taste of what the Classic could look like.

“He's versatile, so we have options.”

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California Contenders Tune Up for Breeders’ Cup

Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) tuned up for a tilt at the Nov. 6 GI Breeders' Cup Classic with a six-furlong drill in 1:14.00 (4/6) at Santa Anita Saturday.

“We were happy,” trainer Doug O'Neill said of the work. “He cooled out good. If all goes well and he stays injury-free, we're two works away. He'll have one at Santa Anita and one at Del Mar.”

Third in the GI Kentucky Derby and second in the GI Belmont S., Hot Rod Charlie was disqualified from a first-place finish in the GI Haskell S. before earning his first top-level victory in the GI Pennsylvania Derby last time out Sept. 25.

The sophomore is expected to be part of one of the deepest Classic fields in recent memory.

“I'm a little biased because I'm part of the race, but I think it's coming up as one of the most contentious Classics in a while,” O'Neill said. “It's a wide-open race with tons of contenders.”

GI TVG Pacific Classic winner Tripoli (Kitten's Joy), also working for the Classic, went five furlongs Sunday at Santa Anita in 1:01 flat (7/46) for John Sadler.

Ginobili (Munnings), preparing for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, worked five furlongs in :57.20 (1/31) Friday at San Luis Rey for trainer Richard Baltas. The 4-year-old is coming off a win in the Aug. 28 GII Pat O'Brien S.

Baltas also sent out Breeders' Cup Classic contender Idol (Curlin), winner of the GI Santa Anita H. in March, out to work four furlongs in :47.80 (3/45) at Santa Anita Saturday. The 4-year-old is coming off a sixth-place effort in the Oct. 2 GI Awesome Again S.

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Hot Rod Charlie Works In Preparation For BC Classic

Hot Rod Charlie worked six furlongs at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., Saturday in 1:14 as he prepares for the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., on Nov. 6.

With Mike Smith filling in for regular rider Flavien Prat, who was winning the Grade I Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keenland Saturday by five lengths aboard Shantisara, the three-year-old son of Oxbow has two more major breezes in store.

“We were happy,” said trainer Doug O'Neill, who won two races at Santa Anita yesterday to take a 9-6 lead over runners-up Peter Miller and Bob Baffert. “He cooled out good. If all goes well and he stays injury-free, we're two works away. He'll have one at Santa Anita and one at Del Mar.

“I'm a little biased because I'm part of the race, but I think it's coming up as one of the most contentious Classics in a while.

“It's a wide-open race with tons of contenders.”

Pacific Classic winner Tripoli, also working for the Classic, went five furlongs Sunday at Santa Anita in 1:01 for John Sadler.

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Hot Rod Charlie Tunes Up for Breeders’ Cup

Trainer Doug O'Neill's Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) began tightening the screws for the Nov. 6 GI Breeders' Cup Classic with a four-furlong move at Santa Anita Saturday morning. Out at 7:45 a.m., the popular dark bay, known for his gritty style, had Mike Smith in the irons. The Hall of Famer was filling in for regular rider Flavien Prat, who was riding at Keeneland Saturday.

“He went a half-mile in 48 and change and galloped out in 1:01 and three,” said O'Neill. “He looked good. It was his first piece of exercise since the Pennsylvania Derby win. If all goes well and he stays injury-free, he'll have three more works between now and Nov. 6.”

Hot Rod Charlie was wearing French blinkers for the work. O'Neill said it was likely he'd wear the same equipment in the Classic.

Owned by Boat Racing LLC, Gainesway Stable, Roadrunner Racing, and William Strauss, Hot Rod Charlie won his first Grade I event in the Sept. 29 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx. He has also won the GII Louisiana Derby this year, but he's made headlines more for the races he didn't win, most notably the July 17 GI TVG.com Haskell S., where he finished first but was placed seventh for heavy interference. Hot Rod Charlie has also placed in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont S., in addition to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile last year.

With a number of frontrunners committed to the Classic, Hot Rod Charlie's ability to sit just off the pace may be a powerful weapon.

“We've got options,” said O'Neill. “He's shown he can win on the front or from sitting behind, so I like where we're at. He's definitely a versatile colt. We'll probably have two more works at Santa Anita and head to Del Mar on the 25th where he'll have his last work.”

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