Tyler Gaffalione will have another shot at this year’s Breeders’ Cup glory with Hot Rod Charlie after nearly going missing two years ago riding a pony to the finish line as runner-up, behind the champion Necessary quality in the 2020 TVG Breeders’ Juvenile Cup presented by the Post-Breed Care Alliance (G1).
He is set to compete for the Longines Breeders ‘Cup Classic (G1) on November 5 at Keeneland on board the Hot Rod Charlie, a 4-year-old son of Oxbow owned by Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, Gainesway Stable, and Strauss Bros Racing. Gaffalione recalls his first race with a pony.
“I was able to work for him a week before the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. I liked the way he went, and he made a great track. We had a bit of confidence going into that race, and he ran a big race that day,” Gaffalione told publicity journalist Jennie Rees of the Kentucky Riders’ Protection and Benevolence Association.
Hiking in class after first win at Santa Anita . ParkThe foal was given a rigorous Juvenile test by trainer Doug O’Neill, and it nearly won it 94-1.
“At the top of the lane, I thought we were done, but we got run down by a very nice horse that year, Essential Quality,” says Gaffalione.
Video
Gaffalione said he lost his car when the foal was 3 years old due to COVID-19 mobility complications.
“He’s always been a special horse for me, and I’m really sad that I couldn’t get out of California because of COVID and ride him on his 3-year-old campaign,” he said. “But it’s nice to be back with him.”
Finally, Gaffalione got the score of the dark horse in the Lukas Classic Stakes (G2) match on October 1 at Churchill Downswhere he rated his colleague the most as the Classic candidate Rich Strike in deep stretching. The horse rider said the pony’s physical and mental improvement was unmistakable.
Video
Gaffalione said: “(Had been) a couple of years later, starting him, entering this year in Lukas Classic — a big, strong horse, he really evolved into a monster. “He was. much bigger, stronger, more patient. He’s all class.”
From 34 horseback rides at the Breeders’ Cup, 28-year-old Gaffalione has yet to reach the finish line but has won three second-place finishes and three third-place finishes. His other seconds were on board Storm in the TVG Breeders ‘Cup Mile 2019 (G1T) and Chelsea Cloisters in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint 2018.
As he looks ahead to his ride in Classic, including Flight route and many 1st grade winners Life is good Gaffalione says he’ll enjoy his chance in the $6 million contest.
“As a horse racing lover, what a race. I can’t wait to be a part of it,” he said. “It’s going to be really great. There’s a lot of great horses. It’s going to be a great match.”
