Tag: Doug O’Neill

O’Neill On Winning The Kentucky Derby: ‘It Is All Horse Driven’

Grade 2 Louisiana Derby winner Hot Rod Charlie had his penultimate Kentucky Derby (G1)  workout at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., on Saturday, going six furlongs under Flavien Prat in 1:14.20 as the son of Oxbow prepares for his Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 1.

Doug O'Neill hopes the third time's the charm, even though the 52-year-old trainer has captured the world's most famous race twice before, with I'll Have Another in 2012 and Nyquist in 2016.

But it never gets old.

Hot Rod Charlie is sitting on go with 110 Kentucky Derby qualifying polnts and Prat committed as his rider. Hot Rod Charlie is scheduled to have his final major Derby breeze next Saturday at Santa Anita.

“Now it's day to day to day, keep him injury free and keep moving forward,” O'Neill said. “I would think having gone through the Derby twice before is an advantage.

“It is all horse driven, based on who you're going there with, but we're very optimistic with Hot Rod Charlie. He's already shown he can ship and perform well at the highest level.

“We're excited, and the previous experience definitely is a benefit, I would think.”

As to the origin of the colt's name, O'Neill attributes it in part to the dam's sire. “He's out of a mare (Indian Miss) by Indian Charlie, so I think that's where it comes from, but Hot Rod?

“I'm not sure about that, but for us it's got a good ring to it.”

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Trio Of West Coast Runners Prep At Santa Anita For Kentucky Derby

Rock Your World, impressive undefeated winner of the Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby on April 3, worked five furlongs Saturday at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., in :59.60 for the G1 Kentucky Derby on May 1.

The son of Candy Ride went in company with stablemate Tripoli, who was clocked in 1:00.20. Trainer John Sadler plans to have one more breeze at Santa Anita for Rock Your World, likely next Saturday, before shipping to Kentucky.

“I had him going a minute for five furlongs with Serapio Figueroa riding, in company with Tripoli,” Sadler said. “It was a pretty effortless work, just smooth and relaxed. I was very happy.”

Also working this morning for the Run for the Roses were Dream Shake, third in the Santa Anita Derby, who went five furlongs with Flavien Prat aboard in a bullet :59.20 for trainer Peter Eurton, and G2 Louisiana Derby winner Hot Rod Charlie, who went six furlongs in 1:14.20, also with Prat up.

“It was a pretty comfortable work,” Eurton said. “He was well within himself. I'm very pleased.”

Dream Shake's time was the fastest of 72 at the distance, the average time of which was 1:01.60.

“He looked solid,” O'Neill said of Hot Rod Charlie, who will be ridden on May 1 by Prat.  “So far, so good.”

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California Trio Breeze Towards Derby

Three Santa Anita-based sophomores headed to the GI Kentucky Derby tuned up Saturday morning over their home track.

Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow), who will have his fair share of backers off his front-running victory in the GII Louisiana Derby, went three-quarters of a mile in :1.14.20 for two-time Derby-winning conditioner Doug O'Neill. Flavien Prat, who was tabbed earlier this week for the ride, was aboard.

“He looked solid. So far, so good,” said O'Neill.

Rock Your World (Candy Ride {Arg}), who remained perfect in three starts with his front-running success in the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby Apr. 3, worked five furlongs in :59.60 Saturday morning.

“I had him going a minute for five furlongs with Serapio Figueroa riding, in company with Tripoli (Kitten's Joy),” trainer John Sadler said. “It was a pretty effortless work, just smooth and relaxed. I was very happy.”

'TDN Rising Star' Dream Shake (Twirling Candy), beaten some 6 1/2 lengths into third in the Santa Anita Derby, went five furlongs in the bullet :59.20 (1/72) to the satisfaction of trainer Peter Eurton.

“It was a pretty comfortable work,” Eurton said. “He was well within himself. I'm very pleased.”

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Flavien Prat Picks Up Derby Mount On Hot Rod Charlie

Jockey Flavien Prat will ride Hot Rod Charlie in the Kentucky Derby on May 1 at Churchill Downs, reports the Daily Racing Form. The 3-year-old son of Oxbow won the Louisiana Derby last out under Joel Rosario, who may have other commitments on the first Saturday in May, including Concert Tour for trainer Bob Baffert.

Trained by Doug O'Neill, Hot Rod Charlie got acquainted with Prat during a five-furlong work at Santa Anita on Saturday. The pair stopped the clock in 1:01 1/5, 27th of 66 at the distance.

On Monday, O'Neill told DRF: “Both Joel and Flavien are world-class jocks. Flavien was able to commit to Charlie. We're excited moving forward.”

O'Neill has Kentucky Derby wins with I'll Have Another (2012) and Nyquist (2016) on his resume, while Prat was awarded the victory via disqualification on Country House in 2019.

Hot Rod Charlie ran second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last year off a maiden victory, then ran third in the G3 Bob Lewis in his first start as a 3-year-old. He won the Louisiana Derby by two lengths over Midnight Bourbon, O Besos, and Proxy.

Read more at the Daily Racing Form.

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