Gaffalione Eager to Pair With 'Charlie' in BC Classic

Tyler Gaffalione will have another shot at Breeders' Cup glory this year with Hot Rod Charlie  after narrowly missing two years ago when riding the colt to a longshot runner-up finish behind champion Essential Quality   in the 2020 TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1).

He's set to contest the Nov. 5 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland aboard Hot Rod Charlie, a 4-year-old son of Oxbow   owned by Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, Gainesway Stable, and Strauss Bros Racing. Gaffalione recalled his first race with the colt.

"I was able to work him a week before the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. I loved the way he went, and he got over the track great. We had some confidence coming into that race, and he ran a big race that day," Gaffalione told publicist Jennie Rees of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

Hiked in class after a maiden win at Santa Anita Park, the colt was given a demanding Juvenile test by trainer Doug O'Neill, and he nearly aced it at odds of 94-1. 

"At the top of the lane I thought we had it done, but we were run down by a very nice horse that year, Essential Quality," Gaffalione said.

Gaffalione said he lost the ride during the colt's 3-year-old year due to COVID-19 travel complications.

"He's always been a special horse to me, and I was really upset when I wasn't able because of COVID to go out to California and ride him in his 3-year-old campaign," he said. "But it's nice to be back with him."

Last out, Gaffalione had the ride for the colt's score in the Oct. 1 Lukas Classic Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs, where he bested fellow Classic contender Rich Strike  in deep stretch. The jockey said the improvement in the colt's physique and mentality is unmistakable.

"(There's been) a couple years in between, getting on him, stepping on this year in the Lukas Classic—what a big, strong horse, he's really developed into a monster," Gaffalione said. "He's just much bigger, stronger, more patient. He's all class."

From 34 rides at the Breeders' Cup, Gaffalione, 28, has yet to hit the wire first but has picked up three runner-up and three third-place finishes. His other seconds came aboard Got Stormy  in the 2019 TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) and Chelsea Cloisters  in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in 2018.

As he looks ahead to his ride in the Classic, which includes the undefeated Flightline  and multiple grade 1 winner Life Is Good  , Gaffalione says he will enjoy his opportunity in the $6 million contest.

"As a fan of horse racing, what a race. I can't wait to be part of it," he said. "It's going to be truly amazing. There's so many great individual horses. It's going to be a great matchup."