Preakness winner Rombauer, Hot Rod Charlie work at Santa Anita

Preakness Stakes winner Rombauer and Belmont Stakes runner-up Hot Rod Charlie each worked at Santa Anita Park on Friday. 

Rombauer drilled four furlongs in 49.2 in his first work since finishing third in the June 5 Belmont. Hot Rod Charlie, who was third in the Kentucky Derby prior to his gallant Belmont runner-up, worked a bullet five furlongs in 59.8. It was his second breeze since the Belmont. 

Following Rombauer's work, trainer Michael McCarthy told Horse Racing Nation he's "very pleased with the way [Rombauer's] been training" since the Belmont. He added "everything is in play" when it came to a possible next start. 

What might be next for Hot Rod Charlie has yet to be determined. Trainer Doug O'Neill recently indicated a cross-country trip to Monmouth Park for the $1 million Haskell (G1) on July 17 could be next for his colt. However, he declined to commit after Friday's drill.

"Knock on wood, Charlie is doing well," O'Neill texted HRN. "Not sure what race yet."

As for Rombauer, his win in the Preakness was his first on dirt and it also marked the first win in a Triple Crown race for McCarthy, a former assistant to Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. In the Belmont, Rombauer checked in some 12 1/2-lengths behind winner Essential Quality. 

After finishing just a length back of Medina Spirit in the Kentucky Derby, Hot Rod Charlie skipped the Preakness before turning in one of the more memorable efforts in defeat in the Belmont. The son of Oxbow carved blistering fractions for the 1 1/2-miles trip and fought on gamely in the stretch before getting reeled in by champion Essential Quality.