Hot Rod Charlie works, eyes Haskell
Hot Rod Charlie, a game second in the Belmont Stakes on June 5, is under strong consideration for the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational on July 17 at Monmouth Park after working five furlongs in 59.80 seconds on Friday at Santa Anita.
“It’s not inked in, but that’s our tentative thought,” trainer Doug O’Neill said of the $1 million Haskell at 1 1/8 miles.
Hot Rod Charlie, third in the Kentucky Derby on May 1, has had two workouts since finishing 1 1/4 lengths behind Essential Quality in the Belmont Stakes at 1 1/2 miles. Hot Rod Charlie set the pace and only yielded his advantage in deep stretch in the Belmont.
In his recent workouts, Hot Rod Charlie has worked without blinkers. Hot Rod Charlie has been fitted with blinkers in his last six races, including a runner-up finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland last November and a win in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds in March.
“We’ll huddle up on whether we run him without them,” O’Neill said.
O’Neill said he timed Hot Rod Charlie in a slightly slower 1:00.40 on Friday. Jockey Flaven Prat, who was aboard in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, rode Hot Rod Charlie in the workout.
“I’m so happy with the way he finished and galloped out,” O’Neill said. “He came out of the Belmont in good shape.”
Owned by the partnership of Boat Racing, Gainesway Stable, Roadrunner Racing, and William Strauss, Hot Rod Charlie has won 2 of 9 starts and earned $1,585,700.
Rombauer, winner of the Preakness Stakes on May 15 at Pimlico but a well-beaten third in the Belmont Stakes, worked a half-mile in 49.20 on Friday at Santa Anita.
The exercise was Rombauer’s first workout since the Belmont Stakes. Trainer Michael McCarthy said several leading races, including the Haskell, are under consideration for Rombauer.
“They’re all in play,” he said. “He’s been training well and doing everything right.”
There are more definitive plans for the McCarthy-trained Rushie, who finished fourth in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup on May 31 at Santa Anita. Rushie worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 on Friday for the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap, a $250,000 race at 1 1/16 miles on July 17 at Del Mar.