The previous two ponies brought cheers from Churchill Downs loyal while competing in separate versions of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) in another performance below the Twin Spiers, this time together at the $498,000 Lukas Classic (G2) on the 1st. October.
This time, it is Hot Rod Charlie defeated in the Derby in 2021, the narrow leader Rich Strike , whose name is hung on the Kentucky Derby victory sign above Churchill Downs. Hot Rod Charlie, the final runner-up in the 2021 Derby after Medina Spirit was disqualified, won over Rich Strike, who scored a stunning 80-1 winner in this spring’s Run for the Roses. .
That Derby victory is no longer around after Rich Strike finished fourth in this summer’s Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) at Racecourse Saratoga and after fully testing Hot Rod Charlie, one of the top old horses in training, with his seventh run.
But Hot Rod Charlie, who was half the length of Rich Strike with sixteen miles remaining after holding the lead at the start, fought back at the hands of Tyler Gaffalione for his first U.S. win of the race. this year.
The winner, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione and coached by Doug O’Neill, clocked 1/8 mile on the fast track in 1:49.77 for Roadrunner, Boat Race owner Bill Strauss and Gainesway Thoroughbreds. He hit the speed of Art collector , because he or she puts the fractions just right: 23.55, :47.94 and 1:11.97, before taking the lead in the early lane. He paid $4.66 to win with a $2 bet.
Hot Rod Charlie and Rich Strike fight down the ropes below Twin Spiers
“Tyler gave him a great ride,” O’Neill said. “He’s one of those horses where I’d love to have flash horses on half a race and take off for them the other half. It’s been an incredible effort. Rich Strike also. ran a winning race.It ran great.
“(Hot Rod Charlie) is a great horse and we are so lucky to have him.”
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Earlier in 2022, Hot Rod Charlie, 4-year-old son of Oxbow appeared at the short end of the picture, finished second, got one shot, to Express train in San Antonio Stakes (G2) in February, and runner-up again when leading in the Salvator Mile Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park.
But this year remains a profitable year, including winning Round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge presented by Longines Recorder (G2), finishing second at the Emirates Airline-sponsored Dubai World Championships (G1). ) and third place finished at Whitney Stakes (G1).
“Doug and his team really had him up and running today,” Gaffalione said. “We had good success and he didn’t really need to get in a good position. He really never gave up on me. didn’t want to be beaten.”
Hot Rod Charlie’s win on Saturday was his bravest win since the 3-year-old, when he scored at the 1st grade level and twice ranked in the classics. After the Derby, in which he finished third on the rope after being eliminated in the final Medina Spirit and Mandaloun he then finished second to win the championship Necessary quality in Belmont Bets presented by NYRA Bets (G1).
In a race decided by the inches, broadcaster Travis Stone monitoring the results called “very close,” Rich Strike seemed to relax somewhat as he took the lead in the sixteenth column. He can also get a little tired after racing closer to the leaders than usual in a low-speed race. He’s only two miles behind the original leaders by half a mile in the Lukas Classic.
Jockey Sonny Leon, part of his silk filled with air, begged his mount to finish the race with left-handed swings at 16 minutes while at the same time trying to keep his balance for the sake of his saddle. he could have slipped to the left. The effort was almost enough in the young horse’s first race with the older horses, but in the end it was reduced to just a few inches.
If Rich Strike finishes first, he could be in danger of being disqualified when Leon’s left elbow comes into contact with Hot Rod Charlie and Gaffalione. Rich Strike went inside under Leon’s belated urging.
Few of Rich Strike’s 3-year-old partners among divisional leaders have raced against their elders.
Coach Eric Reed said: “It was a tough match, but we are very proud of the progress our horse has made today. “It’s been a big ask for him to go up against these old horses, and he’s proven that he’s talented, too.
Long shot King Fury regroup the rails for third place, first Happy Saver in fourth place. Art Collector weakened to fifth, and Chess ranked sixth. Lukas Classic has four 1st place winners in its short roster (Hot Rod Charlie, Rich Strike, Happy Saver and Art Collector).
Hot Rod Charlie relationships enjoy trophy performance for Lukas Classic
Bred by Edward A. Cox Jr. Charlie India mare Miss India Hot Rod Charlie is a half-brother with Mitole , winner of the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) and champion male sprinter of that year. Five of the six ponies of the starting dam are winners. Her unauthorized pony is a pony yearned by Into Mischief and a Instagram colt was born this year.
Hot Rod Charlie was purchased for $110,000 by blood sales agent Dennis O’Neill, the trainer’s brother, from a Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale 2019 Small Lot sale. Win Saturday raised his earnings to over $5.5 million, with a 5-5-4 record in 18 starts.
Video: Lukas Classic S. (G2)
