Hot Rod Charlie speeds in for Louisiana Derby
At 1h12, on March 8, 2021 • By FAIR GROUNDS
If Doug O’Neill shows up in the Big Easy, you better take notice. The two-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer has invaded Fair Grounds Race Course for some major wins over the past decade and he’ll do again from his Santa Anita base in the March 20th Louisiana Derby (G2), when he sends Hot Rod Charlie in as a legitimate contender for the meet’s centerpiece race.
The $1 million Louisiana Derby, run at 1 3/16 miles, offers 170 qualifying points for the May 1st Kentucky Derby, on a 100-40-20-10 scale. First post for the March 20th program, which features seven other stakes including the Fair Grounds Oaks, will be at 12:20 p.m.
Hot Rod Charlie brings some serious credentials to the Louisiana Derby. He was second to last year’s 2-year-old champion Essential Quality in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last November at Keeneland. He has the pedigree to be a star, as he’s a half-brother to Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner and Sprint Champion Mitole, which gave O’Neill confidence going in to the Juvenile, even though his stable star had just a maiden win to his credit at the time.
Hot Rod Charlie shows a strong series of works at Santa Anita, including a 6-furlong move in 1:14.00 there March 6th. O’Neill knows there’s a balance between cranking up a horse too early in their 3-year-old season, which could leave the lemon a little dry come the first Saturday in May.
