Hot Rod Charlie, Rombauer Breeze at Santa Anita Park
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher
Hot Rod Charlie trains prior to his runner-up finish in the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park
Two leading Triple Crown participants, Hot Rod Charlie and Rombauer , breezed June 25 at Santa Anita Park after last racing in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 5.
Hot Rod Charlie, second in the Belmont and third in the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), worked five furlongs at Santa Anita in :59 4/5. Rombauer, third in the Belmont and winner of the Preakness Stakes (G1), went a half-mile in :49 1/5.
Doug O'Neill, who trains Hot Rod Charlie for owners Boat Racing, Gainesway Stable, Roadrunner Racing, and Bill Strauss, wrote in a text message that he hasn't "inked a next race yet ... Haskell definitely under consideration."
Work of the Day from @santaanitapark, Belmont Stakes runner-up Hot Rod Charlie (Outside) and Plum Sexy worked 5 Furlongs on June 25th, 2021, for trainer Doug O'Neill. @1stbet @DougONeill1 pic.twitter.com/fIaPHQLNqJ
— XBTV (@WatchXBTV) June 25, 2021
The TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) is a $1 million race at Monmouth Park for 3-year-olds July 17.
There are no dirt races for 3-year-olds worth more than $150,000 this summer in California, where O'Neill is based, leaving the $750,000 TVG Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar Aug. 21 for 3-year-olds and up as the West Coast's richest and most prestigious summer dirt race.
John Fradkin, who co-owns the Michael McCarthy-trained Rombauer with his wife, Diane, told BloodHorse earlier this month that the Haskell or the $1 million Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) on turf July 10 at Belmont Park are race options for his colt's next start.