Watch: Hot Rod Charlie breezes for Belmont at Santa Anita

Edited press release
Photo: Ernie Belmonte

Hot Rod Charlie, winner of the Louisiana Derby and third in the Kentucky Derby, worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 under Flavien Prat at 7:45 a.m. this morning in preparation for the 153rd Belmont Stakes on June 5.

“He looked great," said trainer Doug O'Neill, who clocked Hot Rod Charlie in 1:01 flat and "out (six furlongs) in 1:13 and change.

"If all goes well, he’ll breeze again here Friday and get on a plane (to New York) on Saturday.”

Prat, who rode Hot Rod Charlie in the Derby, is slated to ride back in the Belmont. In the Derby, Hot Rod Charlie was in traffic early, but began to advance on the leaders at the half-mile pole and finished willingly to be beaten just a length by Medina Spirit.

Hot Rod Charlie, who burst onto the scene when second in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile at 94-1, has a record of 8: 2-1-3 and earnings of $1,305,700 for owners Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, Strauss Brother Racing and Gainesway Thoroughreds.

2021 Belmont Stakes (G1)

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