Hot Rod Charlie

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Hot Rod Charlie
SireOxbow
GrandsireAwesome Again
DamIndian Miss
DamsireIndian Charlie
SexColt
FoaledApril 11, 2018
CountryUnited States
ColorDark bay
BreederEdward A. Cox Jr.
Owner
  • Roadrunner Racing
  • Boat Racing, LLC
  • William Strauss
TrainerDoug O'Neill
Record12: 3–2–3
Earnings$2,471,200[1]
Major wins
Louisiana Derby (2021)
Pennsylvania Derby (2021)
Awards
Secretariat Vox Populi Award (2021)
Last updated on 7 November 2021

Hot Rod Charlie (foaled April 11, 2018) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2021 Pennsylvania Derby and Louisiana Derby. He also came second in the 2020 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, second in the 2021 Belmont Stakes, third in the 2021 Kentucky Derby, and fourth in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Classic. He was voted the winner of the 2021 Secretariat Vox Populi Award.

Background[]

Hot Rod Charlie is a dark bay colt bred in Kentucky.[2] Charlie is by Oxbow and out of Indian Miss who is a daughter of Awesome Again. Oxbow is the 2013 Preakness Stakes winner, for whom Charlie is his leading performer to date.[3] His half-brother is Eclipse winner Mitole.[4] Both Hot Rod Charlie and Mitole were bred by the late Edward Cox Jr.[5]

Trained by Doug O’Neill, he was originally purchased as a "short yearling" in February 2019 at Fasig Tipton in Lexington, Kentucky, for $17,000 by the father and son team of Bob and Sean Feld as one of their "Feld Family Finds".[6] In October 2019 at the same venue Hot Rod Charlie was purchased for $110,000 by Dennis O'Neill for Roadrunner Racing (50%), William Strauss (25%) and Boat Racing LLC (25%).[7] Boat Racing LLC partners include five former members of the Brown University football team: Reiley Higgins, Patrick O'Neill, Alex Quoyeser, Eric Armagost, and Dan Giovacchini. They consider the horse their sixth member.[8] Patrick O'Neil is a nephew of trainer Doug O'Neil and, as he was born into a Thoroughbred racing family, he acted as a guide for the other Boat Racing LLC partners as they debuted as horse owners in the sport.[9]

Racing career[]

2020: Two-year-old season[]

Hot Rod Charlie started his career with a fourth, third, and fifth place finish in three maiden special weight races at Del Mar Racetrack. In his second race, he finished behind future Grade One winner Get Her Number.[10]

He finally broke his maiden in another Del Mar maiden special weight on October 2.[10]

Hot Rod Charlie went straight to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, where he nearly pulled a huge upset after coming second at odds of 94-1 behind the winner and 2020 Champion Two-Year-Old Essential Quality.[11]

2021: Three-year-old season[]

Hot Rod Charlie made his first start as a three-year-old in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park, where he came in third in a blanket finish won by future Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit.[10]

On March 20, Hot Rod Charlie won the 2021 Louisiana Derby over Lecomte Stakes winner Midnight Bourbon and Risen Star Stakes winner Mandaloun.[12] He broke the track record for the 1 & 3/16 mile course with a time of 1:55:06.[13] He won by over two lengths and took home a purse of $1 million. This victory secured him a spot in the 2021 Kentucky Derby field.[12]

Hot Rod Charlie ran a big race under jockey Flavien Prat to come in third in the Kentucky Derby behind Medina Spirit and Mandaloun, with Essential Quality fourth.[14][15]

Hot Rod Charlie bypassed the 2021 Preakness Stakes, the second leg of Triple Crown, [16] and he made his next start in the 2021 Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown.[17] He was sent off at odds of 9-2, and was ridden by Flavien Prat. After setting the fastest early fractions in the history of the race, Hot Rod Charlie came an ultra-game second after a furious stretch battle with Essential Quality. It was another 11 lengths back for Preakness Stakes winner Rombauer in third.[18] In the Belmont Stakes he was ridden once again by jockey Flavien Prat who in the intermittency between the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont rode Rombauer to victory in the 2021 Preakness Stakes, a race in which Hot Rod Charlie did not compete. When Hot Rod Charlie was entered into the Belmont, Prat honored his prior commitment to ride him rather than to mount Rombauer who also ran the race.[19][20]

On July 17 in the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey, Hot Rod Charlie crossed the finish line first but was disqualified. He was moved to last place for impeding the path of Midnight Bourbon, whose jockey Paco Lopez was dislodged. Subsequently Mandaloun, who had crossed second in a photo finish, was declared the winner.[21] The 2021 Haskell Stakes was the first major race in the United States where jockeys were unable to use a whip in anything but an emergency situation as per a relatively new New Jersey state law. When asked if this affected the race's outcome and the accident, Charlie's jockey Flavien Prat said ..."Yes, the lack of a crop came into play. I was trying to correct him as much as I could. If I could have hit him just one time left-handed, we would have been just fine, but it is what it is..."[22]

On September 25, in the Pennsylvania Derby, at Parx Racing, in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Hot Rod Charlie crossed the finish line first, winning the $1 million Grade I race by 2+1⁄4 lengths in front of Midnight Bourbon. His time for this 1+1⁄8 mile race for 3-year-olds was 1:48.63. Again, his race was overshadowed by another inquiry and a rider's claim of foul and these again for the same horse, Midnight Bourbon as his last race, the Haskell Stakes. These went also went to the stewards to resolve. This time, however, the stewards did not see enough conclusive proof that would warrant disqualification, so the result stood, and the race order stayed in Charlie's favor. Hot Rod Charlie's trainer, Doug O'Neill, saw no foul, but Midnight Bourbon's trainer, Steve Ausmussen, clearly did not share his view, saying,""Flavien Prat almost drops Midnight Bourbon for the second time. My horse ran well. He survived,". Charlie's next step is the November 6, 2021, Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).[23]

In December of 2021 Hot Rod Charlie was named the winner of that year's "Secretariat Vox Populi Award" (created by Secretariat's owner Penny Chenery), which "recognizes the horse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the American public and gained recognition for Thoroughbred racing"[24]

Racing statistics[]

Date Race Racecourse Grade Distance Finish Margin Time Odds Weight Jockey Ref
Jul 11, 2020 Maiden Del Mar 5 furlongs 4 (2+1⁄2 lengths) 59.00 1.20* 121 lbs
Aug 14, 2020 Maiden Del Mar 5 furlongs 3 (3+3⁄4 lengths) 57.50 2.20* 120 lbs Abel Cedillo
Sep 7, 2020 Maiden Del Mar 1 mile 5 (3+1⁄4 lengths) 1:38.47 2.20* 120 lbs Flavien Prat
Oct 2, 2020 Maiden Santa Anita 1 mile 1 neck 1:38.00 3.00 122 lbs Abel Cedillo
Nov 6, 2020 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Keeneland I 1+1⁄16 miles 2 (3⁄4 length) 1:42.09 94.40 122 lbs Tyler Gaffalione
Jan 30, 2021 Robert B. Lewis Stakes Santa Anita III 1+1⁄16 miles 3 (+1⁄4 length) 1:46.26 2.50 120 lbs Joel Rosario
Mar 20, 2021 Louisiana Derby Fair Grounds II 1+3⁄16 miles 1 2 lengths †1:55.06 2.90 122 lbs Joel Rosario
May 1, 2021 Kentucky Derby Churchill Downs I 1+1⁄4 miles 3 (1+1⁄4 lengths) 2:01.02 5.60 126 lbs Flavien Prat
Jun 5, 2021 Belmont Stakes Belmont Park I 1+1⁄2 miles 2 (1+1⁄4 lengths) 2:27.11 4.80 126 lbs Flavien Prat
Jul 17, 2021 Haskell Stakes Monmouth Park I 1+1⁄8 miles 7‡ nose 1:47.38 0.80* 119 lbs Flavien Prat
Sep 25, 2021 Pennsylvania Derby Parx Racing I 1+1⁄8 miles 1 (1+1⁄4 lengths) 1:48.64 0.90* 122 lbs Flavien Prat
Nov 6, 2021 Breeders' Cup Classic Del Mar I 1+1⁄4 miles 4 (4+1⁄2 lengths) 1:59.57 3.20 122 lbs Flavien Prat [25]

Legend:
  Dirt   Turf
Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Hot Rod Charlie was the post-time favourite.
† Set a new track record
‡ Hot Rod Charlie was first past the post but was disqualified and placed seventh
Source:[1]

Pedigree[]

Pedigree of Hot Rod Charlie, bay colt, foaled April 11, 2018[26]
Sire
Oxbow (USA)
2010 		Awesome Again (CAN)
1994 		Deputy Minister Vice Regent
Mint Copy
Primal Force Blushing Groom
Prime Prospect
Tizamazing (USA)
2002 		Cee's Tizzy Relaunch
Tizly
Cee's Song Seattle Song
Lonely Dancer
Dam
Indian Miss (USA)
2002 		Indian Charlie (USA)
1995 		In Excess Siberian Express
Kantado
Soviet Sojourn Leo Castelli
Political Parfait
Glacken's Girl (USA)
2005 		Smoke Glacken Two Punch
Majesty's Crown
Lady Diplomat Silver Deputy
Mercedes Mist[10][27]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Horse Profile for Hot Rod Charlie (KY)". Equibase. June 5, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  2. ^ Reilly, Kelly (April 15, 2021). "Tales from the Crib: Hot Rod Charlie". Kentucky Derby Woodford Reserve. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  3. ^ Reilly, Kellie (April 2, 2021). "Pedigree fun facts: Hot Rod Charlie". Kentucky Derby Woodford Reserve. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  4. ^ Oswald, Jessie (April 30, 2021). "HORSE RACING: Hot Rod Charlie took an interesting road to the Kentucky Derby". News and Tribune. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  5. ^ Russo, Nicole (April 23, 2021). "Kentucky Derby 2021: Hot Rod Charlie bringing more honor to late breeder". DRF. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  6. ^ McGrath, Chris (January 29, 2021). "This Side Up: One Last Apple from the Cox Orchard". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  7. ^ Robin, Brian (March 22, 2021). "How Hot Rod Charlie Brought One Small Syndicate to the Derby". Online Gambling | OG News. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  8. ^ Merritt, Matty (April 30, 2021). "Hot Rod Charlie and His Five Best Human Friends Have Big Kentucky Derby Dreams". Morning Brew. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  9. ^ Pedulla, Tom (March 19, 2021). "Derby Diaries: Patrick O'Neill on Hot Rod Charlie's Louisiana Derby Chances". America's Best Racing. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d "Hot Rod Charlie Profile". planetsport. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  11. ^ "Hot Rod Charlie Fresh Off Juvenile Shock". Longines Breeders' Cup. February 26, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  12. ^ a b King, Byron (March 20, 2021). "Hot Rod Charlie Breaks Through in Louisiana Derby Win". America's Best Racing. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  13. ^ "Hot Rod Charlie sets track record, gets first GII victory in $1M Louisiana Derby". Past The Wire. March 20, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  14. ^ Fernandez, Gabriel (May 1, 2021). "Kentucky Derby 2021 winner: Medina Spirit pulls off shocking upset to give Bob Baffert a record 7th Derby win". CBSSports. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  15. ^ Saxon, Jonathan (May 1, 2021). "Here are the payouts and final odds for the 2021 Kentucky Derby". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  16. ^ Bohannan, Larry (May 3, 2021). "Preakness trip highly unlikely for Hot Rod Charlie despite third-place finish in Kentucky Derby". The Desert Sun. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  17. ^ "Belmont-bound Hot Rod Charlie drills five in 1:00.48 Friday". Past The Wire. May 28, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  18. ^ Fernandez, Gabriel (June 5, 2021). "Belmont Stakes 2021 results: Favorite Essential Quality wins the Belmont, Hot Rod Charlie second". CBSSports. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  19. ^ McGee, Marty (May 15, 2021). "Preakness 2021: Jockey Flavien Prat feels real joy with real victory". DRF. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  20. ^ "Flavien Prat honors commitment to ride Hot Rod Charlie in Belmont Stakes". NBC Sports. Associated Press. June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  21. ^ Ehalt, Bob. "Mandaloun Wins Haskell on Hot Rod Charlie DQ". Bloodhorse. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  22. ^ Edelson, Stephen. "Did NJ anti-whip rule help cause Haskell incident? Hot Rod Charlie jockey says it did". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  23. ^ Ehalt, Bob (September 25, 2021). "Hot Rod Charlie Earns Grade 1 Win in Pennsylvania Derby". Bloodhorse. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  24. ^ https://www.secretariat.com/fan-club/vox-populi-award/
  25. ^ "Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Grade 1". Equibase. November 6, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  26. ^ "Pedigree of Hot Rod Charlie". Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  27. ^ "Kentucky Derby Horses: Hot Rod Charlie". Kentucky Derby Woodford Reserve.
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