Hot Rod Charlie Leads O'Neill Breeders' Cup Workers

Trainer Doug O’Neill sent out his string of candidates Saturday morning for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships here at Keeneland Nov. 4-5.

At 9 a.m., Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) hopeful Hot Rod Charlie breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00.80 in company under Tyler Gaffalione for his second work since winning the Oct. 1 Lukas Classic (G2) at Churchill Downs by a head. (Click here for a video of the work.)

“It went great,” Gaffalione said. “Everything was smooth. We sat a few lengths off our company. He was dragging me to go and catch them. Going into the stretch I just kind of gave him his head and let him finish up. He was well within himself, and he pulled up very happy. Everything seems to be going good right now. He’s a very exciting horse. His resume speaks for itself. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity.”

In Hot Rod Charlie’s only start at Keeneland, he was second in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at 94-1. He finished fourth in last year’s Classic (G1) at Del Mar.

“Charlie is absolutely bouncing around the barn cooling out,” O’Neill’s assistant Stephanie Murray said. “You would never guess that he just went out and worked in a minute. He’s just on his toes and has really good energy.”

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) candidate Sharp Aza Tack also worked for O’Neill this morning. The son of Sharp Azteca worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 on the all-weather training track  under Gaffalione at 8:30. The colt is coming off a second in the Sept. 8 Global Tote Juvenile Sprint Stakes at Kentucky Downs. 

Also among O’Neill’s workers on the main track this morning were Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile (G1) candidate Slow Down Andy in 1:00.40 for 5 furlongs in company; Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) candidate Awake at Midnyte in a half-mile solo in :49.40 and Juvenile Fillies (G1) candidate Vegas Magic in 1:00.20 for 5 furlongs. 

“Everybody went super good,” Murray said. “Everything went according to plan. They will all work again next Saturday (Oct. 29).”

O’Neill is scheduled to arrive at Keeneland on Friday.