Hot Rod Charlie | Horse Racing Free Tips

Hot Rod Charlie Full Of Energy After Belmont Try

Even though he set the blistering pace in Saturday's Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets and got into a heavyweight battle with Essential Quality down the lane before losing the 1 ½ mile “Test of the Champion” to that one by only 1 ½ lengths, Hot Rod Charlie was full of energy and enthusiasm the morning after at Belmont Park, Elmont, N.Y.

“He looks awesome, just awesome,” said trainer Doug O'Neill before jetting back to his Southern California base. “He ate up everything and licked his feed tub. We scoped him after the race, and he scoped clean. He was definitely a little rubber-legged after the race, but, by the time he got back to the barn area, he had already recovered. He recovered quickly. He's amazing.”

O'Neill, who was seeking his first Belmont win, said that how quickly this colt bounced back is a sign of how fit he is.

“Look at his dapples. He's so dappled it's unbelievable. His coat is still beautiful. He's full of energy and is just great this morning,” said the trainer while showing off his charge.

In 2012, O'Neill saw his hope of winning the Triple Crown with Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and Grade 1 Preakness Stakes winner I'll Have Another dashed when that colt was scratched on the eve of the race, and then he had to withdraw 2016 G1 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist from Belmont consideration when the colt spiked a fever two weeks before the race.

Twelve hours after watching Hot Rod Charlie, the winner of the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, come so close in the 2021 Belmont, he'd had time to put the performance into perspective.

“We're so proud of him. Super proud of Charlie,” he said of his team in the barn and the ownership group of Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, William Strauss, and Gainesway Stable. “We all feel so blessed to be connected with a champion of a racehorse. The whole crew would do this with him even if there was no purse money. To compete at the highest level and see Charlie and Flavien Prat connect on the biggest stage and give such a monstrous effort, we're going to carry that for days and weeks and months. We're still buzzing.”

Hot Rod Charlie, by 2013 G1 Preakness Stakes winner Oxbow out of the Indian Charlie mare Indian Miss, has tangled with G1 Belmont Stakes winner Essential Quality twice before. In the G1 Kentucky Derby, he was third, finishing in front of Essential Quality (fourth). In last year's Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Essential Quality finished first but just ¾ lengths in front of “Charlie.”

O'Neill said a rematch in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers Stakes on Augusta 28 at Saratoga is possible.

“I think that's very logical,” said O'Neill. “The great thing about this group of guys is that they're so patient. I'm sure we'll talk about that in the next week or two, but just knowing the way this journey has played out, and hopefully, there are plenty more chapters in the Charlie tale, we probably won't decide for another three weeks or so. But it is the most logical next spot. If he takes us there.”

The Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar Race Track in Del Mar, CA is also a possibility for the 3-year-old.

Hot Rod Charlie was scheduled to fly back to O'Neill's stable early next week.

“When you look as good as Charlie does this morning, when you scope as clean, and when his appetite is this good, and you've got a great horse, it's a great journey,” he said.

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Essential Quality ‘Looks Amazing’ After Belmont; Cox Eyes Travers

Essential Quality (Tapit) got great marks from trainer Brad Cox the morning after the colt triumphed in a strong renewal of the GI Belmont S., and Cox said the Godolphin homebred will be pointed next to the GI Runhappy Travers S. Aug. 28 at Saratoga. The Belmont victory marked the first Grade I win as a sophomore for last year's champion 2-year-old male and offered a measure of redemption for the gray, who was the beaten favorite when fourth in last month's GI Kentucky Derby, his first career defeat.

“He looks amazing. It doesn't look like he lost any weight. We jogged him up this morning and he was moving great,” Cox told the NYRA notes team Sunday. “He's a very intelligent horse. It's amazing to watch him. We train him on race day and whenever we put him back in, he'll lay down the rest of the day. He knows what's going on and he deserves a good rest today after such a long race yesterday.”

Rallying past stubborn pacesetter Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) in the final sixteenth of Saturday's $1.5-million Belmont, Essential Quality earned a career-best 109 Beyer and stopped the timer in 2:27.11 for the 1 1/2 miles, the third-fastest Belmont clocking this century, behind only American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile)'s 2:26.65 in 2015 and Point Given (Thunder Gulch)'s 2:26.56 in 2001.

In addition to the Travers, Cox said Essential Quality could start in the GII Jim Dandy S. July 31 at the Spa.

“It's one of the more prestigious races out there for 3-year-old colts. So that would be the logical spot,” Cox said of the Travers. “It's a mile and a quarter and we know he can handle that. In regard to a race before, it would be nice. Saratoga is obviously a demanding track. I wouldn't say we have to have a race before that, but it would be nice. I think the logical spot would be the Jim Dandy, but we'll get him back to Churchill and let him tell us over the next couple of weeks how he's feeling.”

Hot Rod Charlie, who ran valiantly to be a clear second in the Belmont after setting a scorching early pace of:22.78 and :46.49, also came out of his effort well, according to trainer Doug O'Neill.

“He looks awesome, just awesome,” said O'Neill before jetting back to his Southern California base. “He ate up everything and licked his feed tub. We scoped him after the race, and he scoped clean. He was definitely a little rubber-legged after the race, but by the time he got back to the barn area he had already recovered. He recovered quickly. He's amazing. He's so dappled, it's unbelievable. His coat is still beautiful. He's full of energy and is just great this morning.”

O'Neill added that a run in the Travers would likely be on the agenda for his charge as well.

“I think that's very logical,” he said. “The great thing about this group of guys [owners Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, William Strauss and Gainesway Stable] is that they're so patient. I'm sure we'll talk about that in the next week or two, but just knowing the way this journey has played out, and hopefully, there are plenty more chapters in the Charlie tale, we probably won't decide for another three weeks or so. But it is the most logical next spot. If he takes us there.”

O'Neill also told the Santa Anita notes team that a start against elders in the GI TVG Pacific Classic Aug. 21 at Del Mar is under consideration.

“As a 3-year-old, we'd get a big break in the weights and a few of our owners live down there,” he said.

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Cox Sets Sights On Travers Stakes For Essential Quality

Trainer Brad Cox provided a positive report on Godolphin's newly minted American classic winner Essential Quality, who gave the prestigious racing and breeding operation their first triumph in a Triple Crown race in a memorable edition of Saturday's Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

The reigning Champion 2-Year-Old tracked swift fractions produced by Hot Rod Charlie, and dueled with the pacesetter in a dramatic battle down the stretch, getting the better of his foe by 1 ¼ lengths, and produced a career-best 109 Beyer Speed Figure. The result replicated the one-two finish of last year's Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland.

“He looks amazing. It doesn't look like he lost any weight. We jogged him up this morning and he was moving great,” Cox said Sunday. “He's a very intelligent horse. It's amazing to watch him. We train him on race day, and whenever we put him back in, he'll lay down the rest of the day. He knows what's going on and he deserves a good rest today after such a long race yesterday.”

In capturing the “Test of the Champion,” Essential Quality gave his prolific sire Tapit his fourth progeny to conquer the final leg of the Triple Crown, joining Tonalist [2014], Creator [2016] and Tapwrit [2017].

With the Belmont Stakes in the rearview mirror, Cox said the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on August 28 at Saratoga Race Course is the next major objective for Essential Quality. He did not rule out giving the talented gray colt a start beforehand in the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy on July 31 at Saratoga Race Course.

“It's one of the more prestigious races out there for three-year-old colts. So that would be the logical spot,” Cox said of a possible start in the “Mid-Summer Derby.” “It's a mile and a quarter and we know he can handle that. In regard to a race before, it would be nice. Saratoga is obviously a demanding track. I wouldn't say we have to have a race before that, but it would be nice. I think the logical spot would be the Jim Dandy, but we'll get him back to Churchill and let him tell us over the next couple of weeks how he's feeling.”

The Belmont Stakes was the third time Essential Quality faced off against Hot Rod Charlie. Prior to Saturday's race, they ran a respective fourth and third in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 1.

“I think it would be great for racing, no doubt about it.” Cox said of a potential rivalry between the Belmont top two finishers.

A Kentucky homebred, Essential Quality is out of the multiple stakes-placed Elusive Quality mare Delightful Quality. She has an unraced Uncle Mo 2-year-old filly named Famed, who also is trained by Cox.

“She's a nice filly,” Cox said. “She shows some gate speed and is a pretty quick learner. Elegant filly with plenty of leg. We've had her for about a month and she's had some three-eighths works under her belt. No rush with her.”

Essential Quality is scheduled to ship back to Cox's primary division at Churchill Downs on Monday.

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Essential Quality Masters Test Of The Champion; Cox, Saez Celebrate First Classic Winners

Godolphin homebred Essential Quality entered the starting gate as the undefeated favorite in the Kentucky Derby, but a difficult start marred the first Saturday in May for the talented gray son of Tapit. Instead, the first Saturday in June proved to be Essential Quality's coming out party, with a 1 1/2-length victory over Hot Rod Charlie as the 6-5 favorite in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes. Tapit has now sired four Belmont winners.

It is the first official Triple Crown victory for both the Louisville, Ky.-born trainer Brad Cox (though his Derby runner-up, Mandaloun, may be promoted to victory by virtue of the winner Medina Spirit's medication overage), as well as for jockey Luis Saez, who crossed the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby on Maximum Security in 2019 only to be disqualified for interference.

In the post-race interview, Saez dedicated the victory to his late brother, jockey Juan Saez, who was killed in a horse racing accident at Indiana Grand in 2014.

“I know he's always watching over me,” Saez said.

Godolphin's Jimmy Bell celebraltes Essential Quality's Belmont Stakes win with trainer Brad Cox and jockey Luis Saez

Cox remembered calling Essential Quality his Belmont horse the first time he saw the colt in person, and was thrilled to be proven correct.

“That was a tremendous race today,” Cox said.

After the five-week break between the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, Saez made sure Essential Quality broke cleanly and found a position off the rail in sixth around the clubhouse turn. Meanwhile, Hot Rod Charlie surprised many by out-sprinting Rock Your World to the front end, with France Go De Ina also showing speed through a first quarter mile in :22.75.

Rock Your World moved up into second in the backstretch run, chasing Hot Rod Charlie through a half in :46.49 and six furlongs in 1:12.07. Saez kept Essential Quality out in the center of the course in fifth position, staying in the clear and not allowing any excuse for trouble as the race unfolded.

Rounding the far turn after a mile in 1:37.40, France Go De Ina was the first to challenge the frontrunning pair while three-wide. Saez had moved Essential Quality into contention, keeping him in the four-path as the leaders rounded toward the straight. Rock Your World was the first to drop out of it, while France Go De Ina couldn't keep pace when Hot Rod Charlie and Essential Quality started to do battle.

Hot Rod Charlie battled valiantly after setting the pace, but had no answer for Essential Quality in the final eighth of a mile. The juvenile champion went on to hit the wire 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Hot Rod Charlie, mirroring the exacta of last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Preakness winner Rombauer was many lengths back in third, while Florida Derby winner Known Agenda checked in fourth.

Bred in Kentucky by his owner, Essential Quality is out of the graded stakes-placed Elusive Quality mare Delightful Quality. He won on debut, then annexed both the G1 Breeders' Futurity and G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile en route to championship 2-year-old honors. This year, he won both the G3 Southwest and the G2 Blue Grass Stakes before his fourth-place effort in the Kentucky Derby. Overall, Essential Quality has won six of his seven lifetime starts for earnings of over $3.3 million.

Essential Quality, winner of the Belmont Stakes, the “test of the champion” over 1 1/2 miles at Belmont Park

Post-Race Quotes From New York Racing Association Media Office:

Jimmy Bell, President of Godolphin USA, the winning owner of Essential Quality [No. 2, $4.60*]: “We were so fortunate to have another opportunity [after running fourth in the Kentucky Derby]. He has never run a bad race in his life, and I think he showed today he met the test of a champion. To do what he did as a 2-year-old and come through these races as a 3-year-old with the mile-and-a-half classic, it's a great tribute to him.

About the Kentucky Derby race: “In all fairness, he probably ran as good a race as he has run. We all sometimes wish to work out a better trip, but it wasn't meant to be and that's horse racing. We were just looking for an opportunity to showcase his talent and his versatility, and I am very happy he got the job done for us today.”

Brad Cox, winning trainer of Essential Quality (No. 2): “It was a long way around there for a mile and a half, but it was exciting.

“I thought it [the pace] benefitted our horse. Hot Rod Charlie ran a tremendous race and I thought, with the hot pace, we were in a good spot where they'd come back. He [Luis Saez] did a fantastic job putting him in position turning for home and he really showed his stamina late.

“It looked like the horse on the inside still had run left, so I knew it was going to be a battle down the lane.

“He broke well, but it took four or five strides to get position going into the first turn. I was a touch shocked. I thought we'd be a little closer on our own. When we saw the opening quarter, I felt good. And then the 46 he was laying mid pack and on the outside.

“At that point, even going the distance, he should be closing at this pace. Luis did a good job of getting him into position. Turning for home, we were pretty much on even terms with the leader. Hot Rod Charlie ran a tremendous race to hang around that late after doing most of the dirty work. Our horse really showed his talent and stamina.

“With the Tapit on top we really thought he would get the mile and a half when given the opportunity. We always thought he had the ability. After the Derby, you just have to see what it takes out of them. It's a demanding race as well as the Belmont. We were watching him for a week or so. We put our heads together and felt like if we we're going to keep him in training we might as well run him. I really didn't think I could keep his feet on the ground the next couple of months without keeping him on some type of breeze schedule. He's a very smart horse. He has a lot of energy, but he lets you know when he's ready to run.”

Luis Saez, winning jockey aboard Essential Quality (No. 2): “This is my second home. This is the race I wanted to win. We made history.

“I was giving thanks to the Lord and my [late] brother Juan and I dedicate this race to him. My wife and my daughters are out there waiting for me. I'm just so grateful to be here.

“In the Kentucky Derby, we were confident and thought he was going to win. But we had a little unlucky start breaking from there. Today, the big thing was to try to break cleanly. For the rest, I knew he was going to do it.

“It was a pretty nice trip. That's what I was expecting, we knew there was going to be a lot of speed, so we tried to get a clean break and be right there. I knew he was going to run his race at the top of the stretch. On the backside, he picked up the bridle and was moving pretty well, so I'm not going to try to take him back and go inside when he was running pretty well.

“I had a lot of horse and the good thing about Essential [Quality] is that he always fights. He doesn't care who it is, he's going to want to beat them, so I knew he was going to show up at the top of the stretch.”

On his first Triple Crown race victory: “It was so special. I'm so proud to be here and come out with a victory. The [2019 Kentucky] Derby was a little [tough], but you know stuff happens so I'm OK.”

Doug O'Neill, trainer of runner-up Hot Rod Charlie (No. 4): “It was such a great stretch duel and he ran against the 2-year champ. This may sound cocky but I wasn't that surprised when they went as fast as they did early and he kept fighting on the inside. I knew Flavien [Prat] is so confident in this colt, and this colt is so confident in Flavien. He rode with a lot of confidence and I wouldn't second-guess him and I wouldn't do anything different. We just got beat by a better horse today.

“The heart this horse has in him is unbelievable. He's got so much try in him it's crazy. So does the winner, of course. Those are two top horses and hopefully, they both stay injury-free and we get a good rivalry for a long time. That would be really cool.

“Our horse told us today that he's a gamer. He got pushed. He did all the dirty work. Essential Quality ran a huge race and I think Charlie showed he was trying every step of the way from gate-to-wire. He just couldn't hold off a champ.

“During the stretch run I thought he was going to come back, honest to God. In my mind he did come back. He gave everything he had today. There is definitely a part of me that thought they'd start bobbing heads and it would be whoever gets the head bob. Essential Quality just had more today. Thank God they don't run mile-and-a-half races often so we should be OK.

On potentially running in the G1 Travers at Saratoga: “I'd love to bring him back to New York. I can't wait to get back to the barn and give him a big hug. Just as long as he's doing well and is injury-free, and he's telling us through his training that he's doing well and is ready to go, he obviously loved to travel and we all love New York so he's a possibility. There are many more chapters for this horse, hopefully.”

Flavien Prat, jockey aboard runner-up Hot Rod Charlie (No. 4): “We had a good race. He was traveling well on the lead and he was really game today.

“It was a great effort. We had a lot of pressure, but I don't think it would have mattered today. I'm really proud of my horse.

“I was travelling well the whole way around there. I wish we could have gone a little slower, but there wasn't much I could do about that. He was very game.”

John Velazquez, jockey aboard third-place finisher Rombauer (No. 3): “He broke good. We saved all the ground. He tried his best, couldn't get there.

“I had a good trip. I went behind the winners and the winning move was on the outside, a little too soon for me, so I waited a little longer and was a good third.

“Two fresh horses, that's why the Triple Crown is so difficult to win. When you have fresh horses going into the races it's really hard.”

Jose Ortiz, jockey aboard fourth-place finisher Known Agenda (No. 6): “My horse ran well. I knew today he was going to be ready and he's a very nice horse. I thought he ran a good race, he was just a little lazy and I had to keep after him the whole time. It's a long distance, too but he didn't have that kick. He didn't pick up the bit like I wanted him to at the eighth pole and he stayed even.

Kendrick Carmouche, jockey aboard fifth-place finisher Bourbonic (No. 1): “I had him in the perfect spot. He just wasn't good enough today.“

Joel Rosario, jockey aboard sixth-place finisher Rock Your World (No. 7): “I was in a good spot. I thought I was going to go to the lead, but the other horse decided to send, so I was laying in second. He was there for a little while and then he just got a little tired.”

Manny Franco, jockey aboard seventh-place finisher Overtook (No. 8):“The pace was quick in front so I was expecting to make a move. But he didn't give me much today.”

Ricardo Santana, Jr., jockey aboard France Go de Ina, who was eased to the wire (No. 5): “He put me in a great spot and travelled well. I think it was too far for him.”

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