Hot Rod Charlie Completes First Work Since PA Derby Win

Hot Rod Charlie , who captured the Sept. 25 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing, worked at Santa Anita Park Oct. 9 in preparation for the Nov. 6 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar. The 3-year-old Oxbow   colt breezed wearing "a little set of French blinkers," trainer Doug O'Neill said.

"He went a half-mile in :48 and change and galloped out in 1:01 and three (fifths)," O'Neill added. "He looked good. It was his first piece of exercise since the Pennsylvania Derby win."

Equibase officially recorded his workout as five furlongs in 1:01 3/5.

"If all goes well and he stays injury-free, he'll have three more works between now and Nov. 6," continued O'Neill.

"More than likely, he'll wear a set of French blinkers in the Classic, but we haven't made that official yet."

French blinkers are used to reduce a small portion of a horse's usual field of vision. The colt has wandered when racing without blinkers in his two most recent starts.

With committed front-runners Knicks Go  and Medina Spirit  ticketed for the Classic, Hot Rod Charlie might not race on the in that 1 1/4-mile race, as he did in the Pennsylvania Derby. He has also run well from off the pace.

"We've got options," O'Neill said.

Hot Rod Charlie is campaigned by Boat Racing, Gainesway Stable, Roadrunner Racing, and William Strauss.