Express Train catches Hot Rod Charlie in final yards of San Antonio

ARCADIA, Calif. – A bad beat in the Santa Anita Handicap, and an ill-timed injury days before the Breeders’ Cup Classic, made 2021 frustrating for the connections of Express Train, but he ended the year on a high note Sunday at Santa Anita by being on the right end of a photo in a thrilling edition of the Grade 2, $201,000 San Antonio Stakes.

Express Train, under Victor Espinoza, wore down Hot Rod Charlie in the final yards and got the best of the bob to win by a nose, with pacesetting Eight Rings just a half-length farther back in third.

Go On was fourth and was followed, in order, by Azul Coast, Extra Hope, and Kiss Today Goodbye.

Express Train was in traffic heading to the far turn of the 1 1/16-mile race, but he was able to get out when Hot Rod Charlie went after Eight Rings while rounding the far turn. It took the length of the stretch, but Express Train was able to get up just in time over a surface that played a bit dull in two-turn races on Sunday following recent rainstorms.

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“I didn’t want to be in that spot. It was bad luck a little bit,” Espinoza said of his predicament with less than half the race to run. “I thought I’d have room at the end of the backside, but the others read my mind. I was blocked.

“I didn’t want to force him,” Espinoza said. “My only shot was if Hot Rod Charlie went. I was able to get out without bothering anyone. It was really tight. I got out just in time. He takes time to get going. He’s not quick. You have to keep pedaling.”

Express Train was timed in 1:44.82, underscoring the sluggish nature of the track going two turns. Horses rallying from behind had a good coat of mud on them. The track was rated fast, but played more like good. Express Train earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 97.

Express Train, a reasonable 7-2 on the morning line, floated up to a fat 7-1 as Hot Rod Charlie was pounded down to 1-5. Express Train paid $16.40 to win.

This was the third stakes win this year for Express Train, who captured two other Grade 2 races – the San Pasqual at Santa Anita in January and San Diego at Del Mar in July – earlier this year. He was second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap after being caught in the final yards by Idol. He had not raced since finishing third in the Grade 1 Awesome Again nearly three months ago after injuring a hock when schooling in the paddock at Del Mar the week of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Express Train, 4, is a son of Union Rags out of the Mineshaft mare I’m a Flake. John Shirreffs trains him for the C R K Stable of Lee and Susan Searing. He has now won five times in 15 starts, and has career earnings of $815,800.

Hot Rod Charlie’s loss added to his 2021 heartbreaks. Although he won the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, he was disqualified from victory in the Grade 1 Haskell owing to interference, and was run down late in the Belmont Stakes after setting a sharp pace.

On Sunday, the two heartbreak kids of 2021 came to the wire together. It was Express Train’s time to not go away in frustration.