Kentucky Derby Louisiana Derby Winner Hot Rod Charlie Straight to Kentucky Derby March 21, 2021 Credit: Hodges Photography Kentucky Derby Louisiana Derby Winner Hot Rod Charlie Straight to Kentucky Derby March 21, 2021 By: Press Release email Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article 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.” ( Content Continues Below Ad ) 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. “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.” 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. Hot Rod Charlie Wires Louisiana Derby Next Stop: Kentucky Derby “Charlie looked great this morning,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “He flies back to California on Tuesday. I love the spacing (six weeks) leading up to the Kentucky Derby. It’s ideal. He’s proven to travel well. I’m very proud of my nephew Patrick (with Boat Racing). He’s a real good young man and I’m very excited for him and all of the owners.” 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).”
Gulfstream Park Pick 5 [Florida Derby Day] | The Magic Mike Show 537 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Derby Prep Results [Louisiana Derby & Jeff Ruby Steaks] | The Magic Mike Show 536 The Magic Mike Show guys discuss what they learned from… Read More
2024 Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks Previews and Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 658 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the $1… Read More
Bayou Bluegrass Pick 5 [Fair Grounds & Turfway Park] | The Magic Mike Show 535 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Championship Series Look Ahead | Blinkers Off 657 The Racing Dudes take a look ahead at the upcoming… Read More
Florida Derby 2024 Betting Bible | Get Expert Picks NOW! Get the 2024 Florida Derby Betting Bible, featuring our EXACT race-by-race wagering… Read More
Gulfstream Park Pick 5 [Florida Derby Day] | The Magic Mike Show 537 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Florida Derby 2024 | Gulfstream Park Picks [Kentucky Derby] Aaron previews the 2024 Florida Derby (G1) from Gulfstream Park,… Read More
Arkansas Derby 2024 | Oaklawn Park Picks [Kentucky Derby] Aaron previews the 2024 Arkansas Derby (G1) from Oaklawn Park,… Read More
UAE Derby 2024 | Meydan Dubai Picks [Kentucky Derby] New York-bred Pandagate worked five-eighths in 1:03.20 Sunday in company… Read More