Hot Rod Charlie's First Winner Captures Debut in Japan

Grade 1 winner and freshman stallion Hot Rod Charlie, who finished second in two American classics, sired his first winner in Japan when his son Aperitivo (JPN) won his racing debut May 5 at Mombetsu Racecourse. The colt is owned by Katsumi Yoshida and trained by Junji Tanaka. He debuted running 1,100 meters (about 5 1/2 furlongs) on a dirt surface labeled as good. His final time was 1:08.5. Aperitivo was bred out of the Manhattan Café winner Ora Legale, who raced as a homebred for Teruya Yoshida. To date, the mare has produced seven winners from nine foals of racing age. Ora Legale is out of the stakes winner Ora (Quiet American), who Shadai Farm bought for $160,000 out of the 2005 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale from Eaton Sales. Hot Rod Charlie entered stud at Shadai Stallion Station in 2023 at ¥2 million (about US$12,800) and this year stands for ¥1.5 million (about US$9,600). The son of Calumet Farm Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Oxbow raced for Road Runner Racing, Boat Racing, Gainesway Stable, and Strauss Bros Racing. Trained by Doug O'Neill, Hot Rod Charlie won the 2021 Pennsylvania Derby (G1), Louisiana Derby (G2), and 2022 Lukas Classic Stakes (G2), while also finishing second in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and the 2022 Dubai World Cup (G1). He retired with a 5-6-3 record from 19 starts and earned nearly $6 million.