After a string of near misses at the Grade 1 level, Hot Rod Charlie finally broke through at the sport's highest level when prevailing as the favourite in the Grade 1, US$1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing on Saturday.
In four previous Grade 1 tries, Hot Rod Charlie was disqualified from the win in the Haskell in July, was second to champion Essential Quality in the Belmont Stakes in June, was beaten just a length by that rival when third in the Kentucky Derby this spring, and in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile, was edged three-quarters of a length by Essential Quality.
Without his nemesis signed up Saturday, Hot Rod Charlie and Flavien Prat went straight to the lead and were quickly flanked on the outside by second-choice Midnight Bourbon through opening fractions of 23:4, 47.0 and 1:10.6 for the opening six furlongs.
As they turned into the stretch, Hot Rod Charlie drifted out and appeared to bump Midnight Bourbon on his outside. After the incident, both were set down for the drive and it was Hot Rod Charlie who kicked clear to win in a final time of 1:48.6 for 1 1/8-miles.
An objection was filed by Ricardo Santana Jr. aboard Midnight Bourbon for the incident at the top of the stretch. It harkened back to thoughts of the Haskell, where Hot Rod Charlie was disqualified after clipping heels with Midnight Bourbon at the top of the stretch. On this less consequential occasion, the steward's decided to make no change.
Midnight Bourbon was followed across the wire by American revolution in third with Fulsome completing the superfecta.
Trained by Doug O'Neill, Hot Rod Charlie paid $US3.80 as the odds-on favourite.
