Hot Rod Charlie, runner-up to champion Essential Quality in the June 5 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) last out at Belmont Park, returned to the work tab June 19 with a four-furlong move at Santa Anita Park.
With Flavien Prat up, the son of Oxbow breezed solo in :48 1/5, 10th of 66 at the distance on the day at the Southern California track.
"He looked great, galloped out strong—and Flavien was very happy," said O'Neill, who is still pondering the colt's next start.
Campaigned by Boat Racing, Gainesway Stable, Roadrunner Racing, and William Strauss, Hot Rod Charlie set the pace in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont before Essential Quality edged him by 1 1/4 lengths. It was 11 1/4 lengths back to Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Rombauer in third.
Third in the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs off a victory in the March 20 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, his first graded score, Hot Rod Charlie launched the season with a third in the Jan. 30 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita.
He wrapped his juvenile campaign Nov. 6 with a runner-up finish by just three-quarters of a length to Essential Quality in the 2020 TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) at Keeneland off a maiden score in October at fourth asking.
