HOT Rod Charlie became the latest colt to break through to the top level by taking the Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on Saturday and is now heading straight to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1st.

The three-year-old Oxbow colt, a half-brother to 2019 champion sprinter Mitole, is trained by Doug O’Neill, who has won the Derby twice, in 2012 and 2016, with I’ll Have Another and Nyquist.