Hot Rod Charlie

Hot Rod Charlie began his career in a pair of sprints, one on dirt and the other on grass, finishing third as the favorite in the latter. He remained on turf for his third start and was unplaced when stretching out to a mile.

The Oxbow colt secured his first career win Oct. 2, 2020, when he won a one-mile maiden special weight race on the main track by a neck.

Trainer Doug O’Neill sent Hot Rod Charlie to Keeneland for the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Nov. 6 at Keeneland. He made a bold move on the far turn and finished second to Essential Quality at 94.40-1 odds.

In his 3-year-old debut, Hot Rod Charlie finished third in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Jan. 30. With that win, he earned two points on the road to the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve.

Hot Rod Charlie finally got his breakthrough win on Mar. 20, taking the Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby. He set the early pace, then fended off a challenge in the stretch from Midnight Bourbon for the win. He covered 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.06. With that win, Hot Rod Charlie earned 100 more Derby qualifying points.

In the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 1, Hot Rod Charlie battled on in the stretch after stalking the pace and finished third, beaten by about a length behind Medina Spirit.