2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic Contenders, Odds and Post Position: Hot Rod Charlie
2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic Contenders, Odds and Post Position
In the days leading up to the 38th Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar in California, usracing.com is publishing profiles of the horses in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (Saturday, Nov. 6). The profiles will be updated following the post-position draw on Monday, Nov. 1.
By Margaret Ransom
Hot Rod Charlie at the Pennsylvania Derby – Photo Courtesy of Chad B. Harmon
This son of 2013 Preakness (G1) winner Oxbow has had a very interesting year, to say the least. Nonetheless, the Doug O’Neill trainee heads into the Classic as one of the better 3-year-olds and one to pay attention to when making your wagers.
Hot Rod Charlie, named for a drinking game the co-owning Boat Stable group used to play in college, finally got his Grade 1 victory in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) in September after coming close in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1). He finished first in the Haskell but was disqualified for a hotly-debated incident in the stretch drive.
Whether it was due to the limited use whip rule in New Jersey or nonchalance by jockey Flavien Prat, Hot Rod Charlie came over in the stretch and bumped rival Midnight Bourbon hard, causing him to clip heels and stumble and toss jockey Paco Lopez to the track.
Nobody was injured, except for maybe the bettors who had him to win and his connections, who lost out on the winner’s share of the $1 million purse.He had his next-to-last work over his home track of Santa Anita on Oct. 24, where he posted a 7-furlong effort in 1:26 3/5, which was designed as a simulation of what his Breeders’ Cup trip may look like, according to O’Neill.
“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.”
Breeders’ Cup Classic Profile: Hot Rod Charlie
Post position: TBD
Odds: TBD
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Owners: Roadrunner Racing (Greg Helm), Bill Strauss, Gainesway Stable and Boat Racing (former Brown University football players Patrick O’Neill (the trainer’s nephew), Eric Armagost, Dan Giovacchini, Reiley Higgins and Alex Quoyeser)
Career record: 11-3-2-3
Career earnings: $2,171,200
Top Equibase speed figure: 120
Pedigree: Oxbow-Indian Miss, by Indian Charlie
Color: Dark bay or brown
Running style: Stalker
Betting advice: This horse has tremendous figures – speed, class, and pace – and has been improving with every start. He’s also got tremendous heart to go with natural talent and if he’s not a top selection, he’s a must-use in all exotics.
Notes: Doug O’Neill has had 58 Breeders’ Cup starters since his first, Decarchy, finished 12th in the 2003 Mile. His winners include Stevie Wonderboy (2005 Juvenile), Thor’s Echo (2006 Sprint), Mayfield (2007 Filly & Mare Sprint), Goldencents (2013 Dirt Mile) and Nyquist (2015 Juvenile) … Flavien Prat has ridden 46 Breeders’ Cup mounts with three winners – Obviously (2016 Turf Sprint), Battle of Midway (2017 Dirt Mile), Storm the Court (2019 Juvenile)… this is a first Breeders’ Cup starter for the ownership group… Hot Rod Charlie runs for charity, a portion of his earnings go to Jake Panus Walk On Football Endowed Scholarship, named for the late son of The Jockey Club’s communications director who was killed at age 16 in a car accident; and to the Melanoma Research Alliance, the type of cancer that claimed the life of O’Neill’s brother and father… dam Indian Miss also produced Breeders’ Cup winner and champion sprinter Mitole.
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