Barn Tour: O'Neill shares plans for top stars and juveniles

With six weeks remaining in the year, trainer Doug O’Neill ranks 18th in purse earnings in North America with $6,219,045.

Leading the way for the two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer has been Hot Rod Charlie, O’Neill’s Grade 1-winning sophomore who pushed his bankroll to $2,087,500 for the year when fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic; and 2-year-old Mackinnon, a dual stakes winner in Southern California who most recently was third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

O'Neill told Horse Racing Nation on Wednesday that both Hot Rod Charlie, who has made seven starts this season, and Mackinnon, who is 3-for-6 since May 9, would push forward following their Breeders' Cup efforts. In this latest HRN Barn Tour, O’Neill elaborates on the immediate future of those two colts, as well what lies ahead for newly-minted stakes winner Team Merchants and a trio of emergent 2-year-olds that look to have bright futures.

Hot Rod Charlie. Oxbow's most accomplished son, who went off as the 3-1 third choice in the Breeders' Cup Classic, was second at the eighth pole behind loose-on-the-lead winner Knicks Go before faltering late under Flavien Prat to round out the superfecta. 

"He came out of the race in really good shape and is back on the track," O'Neill said. "The beauty is he came out injury-free and we got the green light to campaign him next year."

O'Neill added Hot Rod Charlie would likely have his first work since the Breeders' Cup in the next seven to 10 days. 

"His blood looks great, we took all kinds of diagnostics and they all came back perfect," he said. "So he's healthy and happy and enjoying his daily exercise."

As for the Hot Rod Charlie's effort in the Classic, O'Neill noted the race dynamics proved too much to overcome.

"I think the connections and I thought Medina Spirit and Knicks Go would hook up in a real fast speed duel and we'd be laying in a good spot," O'Neill said. "But as the gates sprung, I think Charlie was sitting back a little bit and he didn't follow the doors as he normally does... Knicks Go got off and went pretty quick but got a dream trip on an uncontested lead. We tried to make up ground but it was just too hard."

Hot Rod Charlie could possibly run in any of the rich early season races that include the Pegasus World Cup (G1), Saudi Cup (G1) and Dubai World Cup (G1).

Mackinnon. The son of American Pharoah followed up wins in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes and Zuma Beach Stakes at Santa Anita with a fast-closing third by less than two lengths in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. In the Juvenile Turf won by Godolphin's Modern Games, Mackinnon had to check on the first turn when encountering traffic and remained relegated to 11th place at the quarter pole before uncorking a rally in the stretch under Juan Hernandez.

“That was a dynamite effort,” O’Neill said. “You know, in a big field on grass at Del Mar it is always a little bigger of a challenge. He broke well, then as he was trying to get into position on the first turn he got squeezed a little bit. But credit to Juan and credit to Mackinnon. They were able to settle in and once Juan called on him, man, he sure did respond. We’re very proud of his closing kick.”

Like stablemate Hot Rod Charlie, Mackinnon is slated to return to work in the next seven to 10 days. O’Neill said one of the first turf stakes at Santa Anita “has his name written all over it,” which would presumably be the $100,000 Eddie Logan Stakes going a mile on Dec. 31.

Team Merchants. Following a fourth in the Oklahoma Derby (G3), the Reddam Racing homebred by Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist was switched to turf and promptly earned his first stakes win in the Nov. 4 Let it Ride Stakes at Del Mar going a mile. 

"He's another son of Nyquist just loaded with talent," O'Neill said. "He's had some unlucky trips along the way, but he got a perfect trip the other day and got the job done. I think if he stays injury free and has a little luck, he could be a graded-stakes winning type of horse down the road."

Team Merchants, who was fifth in the Shared Belief won by Medina Spirit prior to the Oklahoma Derby, could wheel back in next weekend's $400,000 Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar, O'Neill added. 

"In a few days I'll know more, but that's a strong possibility," he said.

2-year-olds

Kid Corleone. After a solid third debuting on grass at Santa Anita on Oct. 24, was switched to dirt for start No. 2 last weekend and promptly graduated at 14-1 in gate-to-wire fashion going 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar. The son of Shackleford out of the Indian Charlie mare Corleone was purchased at auction earlier this year for $62,000 by O'Neill's brother, Dennis O'Neill, acting as agent. 

"He's a horse we've always been excited about," O'Neill said. "I really thought we wouldn't see the best of him until we stretched him out. He went out there and the way he was able to hold on really floored us."

O'Neill added he would likely look for a stakes race going at least seven furlongs on dirt for Kid Corleone. 

"He came out of the race in good shape and the sky is the limit for him," he said.

Kid Corleone is campaigned by Roadrunner Racing and Barbara Evenson. 

Slow Down Andy. This Reddam Racing homebred by Nyquist was a debut winner by 4 3/4-lengths sprinting at Santa Anita on Oct. 9 and came back to be second by a half length in the seven-furlong Golden State Juvenile on Nov. 5. 

"He's extremely talented," O'Neill said. "I think turf, dirt, long, short, whatever you want to do with Slow Down Andy he'll do."

O'Neill added he has no definite plans for Slow Down Andy, "but I would think some Cal-bred stakes down the road is where you'll see him surface."

Tonito's. The 2-year-old filly by Blame won her debut going 6 1/2 furlongs on turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 23 and came back to be second to Bob Baffert's Eda when switched to dirt for last Saturday's Desi Arnaz at Del Mar also going 6 1/2 furlongs.

"She's really, really nice with a great mind and body," O'Neill said. "We're optimistic you'll see the best of her when we stretch her out. Those kinds of fillies are hard to find so we're thankful and grateful. The future shines bright for Tonito's."