ARCADIA, Calif.—I’ll Have Another, Nyquist, Hot Rod Charlie?
Team O’Neill is hopeful another Santa Anita-based three-year-old will give it a Kentucky Derby trifecta with Hot Rod Charlie after victories with I’ll Have Another in 2012 and Nyquist in 2016.
A total of 19 horses have used the Santa Anita Derby in preparation for victory in the Kentucky Derby and five of the last nine winners of the Run for the Roses have called Santa Anita home: Authentic (2020), Justify (2018), Nyquist (2016), American Pharoah (2015) and I’ll Have Another (2012). American Pharoah and Justify also swept the Triple Crown.
Under Joel Rosario, Hot Rod Charlie scored a front-running two-length triumph in Saturday’s Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds, earning the Oxbow colt 100 qualifying points for the Derby on May 1, assuring him a spot in the 20-horse field.
“It was surprising that he went to the lead, but when he broke so sharply, Rosario made the decision to go, which some riders don’t like to do,” said trainer Doug O’Neill’s valued assistant Leandro Mora by phone from Dubai Sunday morning.
“Some riders kind of panic in that situation and pull back but Joel made the horse feel comfortable.”
Now if all goes well, it’s on to the Kentucky Derby.
“The plan was to go to Louisiana and try to get the points and then go straight to the Kentucky Derby,” said Mora, who is in Dubai where on Saturday O’Neill has Parsimony entered in the $750,000 Godolphin Mile, Palos Verdes winner Wildman Jack in the $1.5 million Golden Shaheen and Ambivalent seeking Kentucky Derby qualifying points in the UAE Derby.
“Hot Rod Charlie reminds me of I’ll Have Another, who had ups and downs before he became the horse he was at the end of his career,” Mora said. “He broke his maiden as a three-year-old, but was nothing but a speed horse early on.
“He got better with age, and Hot Rod Charlie is similar.”
Rosario’s services, understandably, are in great demand. He also rode Concert Tour to an impressive victory for Bob Baffert in the Rebel Stakes.
“We’d love to keep Rosario but he also rides Concert Tour, so we’ll have to wait and see,” Mora said. “Maybe Baffert is considering Mike Smith (for Concert Tour, since Smith’s mount, Life Is Good, was declared off the Triple Crown trail yesterday after sustaining an injury following a workout).”
Mora and O’Neill’s Hall of Fame Thoroughbred Lava Man, it turns out, have something in common. This is Mora 20th year with O’Neill, while Lava Man celebrated his 20th birthday yesterday, although his demeanor as a stable pony belies his age.
“Lava Man is still acting like a four-year-old,” Mora said.
Prat wins five on Saturday’s card, leads jockey race by 20
Flavien Prat won five races Saturday to increase his lead over runner-up Juan Hernandez in quest of Santa Anita’s riding title. The numbers now read Prat 66 victories, Hernandez 46.
The 28-year-old Frenchman’s most notable victory yesterday came aboard United in the Grade III San Luis Rey Stakes at a mile and a half on grass, stalking expected pacesetter Acclimate before unleashing his class to post an efficient three-quarter length win.
Prat’s other victories came on Lalic for trainer John Sadler in the first race; None Above the Law for Peter Miller in the second; Thrive for Michael McCarthy in the fourth; Ward ‘n Jerry for Mike Puype in Leg 3 of The Tin Man Turf Series, which was race five; and Fratelli for Miller in race eight.
Prat also leads all riders in purse earnings with $3,525,548.
Fashionably Fast Breezes for Santana Mile
Fashionably Fast, back-to-back winner of the Tiznow Stakes at one mile, worked Sunday for another test at that distance, next Sunday’s $75,000 Santana Mile for four-year-olds and up.
With regular rider Tiago Pereira in the saddle, the six-year-old gelded son of Lucky Pulpit went five furlongs in 1:01.40.
“If he comes out of the work OK, we’ll probably enter,” said trainer Dean Pederson.
Fashionably Fast would be seeking his ninth victory in his 21st start should he go in the Santana Mile. He has earned $568,245 for owners John Harris, Per Antonsen and John Nicoletti. Harris also bred the consistent chestnut campaigner.
FINISH LINES: Southwest Stakes runner-up Spielberg breezed five furlongs this morning in 59.40 for Saturday’s Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. The son of Union Rags trained by Bob Baffert was one of 213 horses that had recorded workouts, including 24 on the training track, where streaking turf stakes winner Charmaine’s Mia went five furlongs in 1:01.60 for Phil D’Amato. Charmaine’s Mia will seek her third straight added money victory in the Grade II Royal Heroine Stakes on April 3 . . . Santa Anita is dark Monday through Thursday. Live racing resumes 1 p.m. on Friday, March 26.
Santa Anita Park Press Release
Photo: Hot Rod Charlie winning the Louisiana Derby. (Benoit)
