Hot Rod Charlie takes them all the way in Louisiana Derby

Southern California shipper Hot Rod Charlie seized the early lead and was never headed en route to a two-length win in the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds on Saturday.

It is likely now on to the Kentucky Derby for Hot Rod Charlie, who under Joel Rosario bested runner-up Midnight Bourbon to earn an additional 100 qualifying points toward the first Saturday in May. Midnight Bourbon stalked Hot Rod Charlie throughout, but could never get by to collect 40 points and give him 66 in all. History shows that should be enough to make the Kentucky Derby starting gate. 

O Besos, the second-longest shot on the board, checked in third and now has 25 points in all for the Kentucky Derby. He was followed by Proxy in fourth, who added 10 points to give him 34 in all. With those current totals, both O Besos and Proxy are likely on the bubble for making the Kentucky Derby. 

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Hot Rod Charlie contested the Louisiana Derby with Leandro Mora as the listed trainer. Mora is the main assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill, a two-time Kentucky Derby-winning conditioner, who was serving a suspension for a medication violation in California. 

In the 1 3/16-miles Louisiana Derby, Hot Rod Charlie carved fractions of 23.10, 47.04 and 1:11.25 for six furlongs along the rail while being stalked to his outside by Midnight Bourbon. On the second turn, Midnight Bourbon drew on near even terms with the leader, just as favorite Mandaloun had begun his bid widest of all under Florent Geroux. 

Little separated Hot Rod Charlie and Midnight Bourbon entering the stretch. But when set down for the drive, it was Hot Rod Charlie who proved best to win in a track-record time of 1:55.06. He paid $7.80 as the third choice in the wagering. 

"I wanted to get a little position," Rosario said. "It didn't look like there was much speed in the race. He broke well and in the first turn I found myself on the lead...It worked out really well. He handled the distance very well. Very impressive. With the horse coming on his outside (Midnight Bourbon) he really fought back."

Mandaloun, who was exiting a win in the Risen Star (G2), proved the biggest disappointment of the race. After bidding on the second turn, he faded badly in the stretch under Florent Geroux to finish sixth. 

"He was a little flat today and I ran out of gas late. I’m disappointed," Geroux said. "I had the same trip I had the first two times (in the Lecomte and Risen Star); I was tracking the horses that ran 1-2 and, for some reason, just came up really empty when it was time to run. It’s disappointing. That’s why these preps are made; to see where you are at for the Derby. Off that effort I really don’t know what he’ll do. He’s already in, but I don’t know."

Added Cox: “He was flat and we’re disappointed. There’s no other way to say it. I don’t know. I have no excuse right now, we’ll just have to see. It’s frustrating, but it’s part of it. I can’t ask him to train any better and I don’t think I would have done anything different. We’ll just regroup.” 

Trainer Michael Stidham also was not pleased with the performance of Proxy, who was adding blinkers after splitting Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon when second in the Risen Star (G2). 

“Very confusing,” Stidham added. “We’ll go back to the barn and take a look at him. The blinkers did not improve him. You could see Johnny getting after him at the half-mile pole, the same as last time (in the Risen Star), when he had to remind him ‘let’s go.’ This time, he made a little bit of run but seemed to flatten out the last part of it.” 

Hot Rod Charlie was exiting a third-place finish to Medina Spirit by a neck in the Jan. 30 Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita Park. The son of Oxbow -who is also a half brother to champion sprinter Mitole-served notice of his ability last year when nearly springing a 94-1 upset in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile to close out his 2-year-old season. 

Hot Rod Charlie is owned by Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing and William Strauss. He improves to 7: 2-1-2 with earnings of $1,005,700.

"We are so extremely blessed," said Patrick O'Neill of Boat Racing. "I just missed a phone call from Doug and Dennis (O'Neill), my uncles. It's a family affair, but we added friends and we couldn't be more fortunate. What an amazing horse. An amazing sport. We're going to the Kentucky Derby."