By: Blood Horse

Photo Credit: Michael Adolphson Jr.

Hot Rod Charlie Returns to Work Tab After Dubai Win – BloodHorse

He recorded a half-mile breeze in preparation for the March 26 Dubai World Cup (G1).

Doug O’Neill-trained grade 1 winner Hot Rod Charlie continued his on-site march toward the $12 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) by returning to the Meydan dirt track the morning of Feb. 18 for his first breeze since winning the Feb. 4 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Presented by The Longines Record (G2).

In a half-mile move at just past 7:00 a.m. local time, the half brother to champion sprinter Mitole  broke into an easy gallop half-way down the backstretch and then rattled off a pair of easy furlongs around the far turn before opening up his stride down the stretch under 2007 Dubai World Cup-winning jockey Fernando Jara.

The Roadrunner Racing, Bill Strauss, Boat Racing and Gainesway-owned son of Oxbow  ‘s breeze was untimed, as Meydan does not have an official clocker, but it was assumed by onlookers to be roughly :49. Assistant trainer Leandro Mora was elated with the move, which came two weeks after his 5 1/4-length score over the likes of Al Nefud  and Everfast .

“It was an easy, comfortable work,” Mora said. “That was pretty great to me because he did it easy and then when he got back to the barn, he looked great, was happy, and went into the stall looking for his food. That’s what you want to see. I’m actually happy with all of our horses and their works today.”

In addition to Hot Rod Charlie, Team O’Neill worked Strongconstitution , Go On, and Get Back Goldie half-miles during the 7:00 a.m. lot. All three will point tentatively toward the Super Saturday card on March 5. Hot Rod Charlie will train up to the Dubai World Cup on March 26.

Say Jay Racing and Roadrunner Racing’s Strongconstitution, second in the Firebreak Stakes Presented by Longines Conquest (G3) last out, is pointing toward the Burj Nahaar (G3), the final local prep for the $1 million Godolphin Mile (G2). Reddam Racing’s Go On, sixth in Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2, will run in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (G1), attempting to earn a rating high enough to qualify for the Dubai World Cup. W C Racing, Aldabaugh, Wonderland, and Goldstein’s Get Back Goldie, winner of the Oud Metha Stakes Presented by Longines Master Collection, has his sights on the listed Al Bastakiya, the final prep for the $1 million UAE Derby (G2).

“They will all most likely work next Friday again before their races,” Mora concluded. “Hot Rod Charlie will work weekly, on Fridays, leading up to the big race.”

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on two old friends of Hot Rod Charlie, Midnight Bourbon and Mandaloun, who will line up two hours’ flight west in next Saturday’s Saudi Cup (G1) in Riyadh, with both possible to cross the Arabian Gulf for a reunion on the last Saturday in March.