Hot Rod Charlie just about ready for Lukas Classic

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Hot Rod Charlie, the leading prospect for the Oct. 1 Lukas Classic at Churchill, has been on a steady work schedule.

Based at Keeneland since late June, the 4-year-old colt has breezed there the last five Saturdays for trainer Doug O’Neill, starting Aug. 20 and on through a six-furlong work in 1:12.80 last Saturday. Third in the Aug. 6 Whitney at Saratoga in his last start, Hot Rod Charlie will have a final pre-race work this coming Saturday. He has earned more than $5.25 million.

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Regular rider Flavien Prat is committed to ride Oct. 1 at Belmont at the Big A, so the mount on Hot Rod Charlie in the Grade 2, $400,000 Lukas will go to Tyler Gaffalione, the leading jockey at the Churchill spring meet and the recently ended Kentucky Downs meet.

Rich Strike, the 80-1 winner of the Kentucky Derby in May, is among those expected to oppose Hot Rod Charlie in the 1 1/8-mile Lukas Classic. Rich Strike was scheduled to have his final pre-race work early Wednesday at Churchill, said trainer Eric Reed. The Keen Ice colt was fourth in the Aug. 27 Travers in his latest start.