Trainer O’Neill’s approach to Derby has evolved

Doug O’Neill, who makes a racing secretary’s job much easier by starting more horses in Southern California than any other trainer, will be making another trip to Churchill Downs next week in search of his third Kentucky Derby victory.

O’Neill, who won with I’ll Have Another in 2012 and then with Nyquist in 2016, will saddle Hot Rod Charlie in the 147th Kentucky Derby on May 1. Hot Rod Charlie won the Louisiana Derby on March 20 to earn his trip to Louisville.

But O’Neill’s a different trainer now than when he brought Liquidity and Great Hunter to Churchill Downs while seeking Derby glory for the first time in 2007. Fourteen more years of experience breeds smarter horsemen.

“If you go back to 2007, I was probably a nervous wreck and way overthinking everything,” he said this week as he made plans for Hot Rod Charlie’s final Derby workout this weekend. “As I’ve done it a little bit, and now here we are 2021, I do feel a lot more calm about the situation.”

O’Neill’s Derby starters have fared quite well. He’s notched two runner-up finishes to go with the two victories, and this year he has the comfort of knowing Hot Rod Charlie can get on a plane and travel out of state without freaking out.

The son of Oxbow traveled to Keeneland last November and ran a bang-up second to Derby favorite Essential Quality in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at the juicy odds of 94-1. To prove that was no fluke, he got on a plane and went to the Fair Grounds in New Orleans for his successful run in the Louisiana Derby.

“It’s a huge asset for us,” O’Neill said. “It’s just one less thing you’re concerned about. Until you do it, you just don’t know. These (different) barns are other homes, right? And when you take ‘em from one home and you move ‘em to another home, some are like, no big deal. And some aren’t.

“So knowing that Charlie has no problem moving homes, it’s a big asset. It brings more optimism as we’re going to the Big Dance here.”

O’Neill’s SoCal counterpart, John Sadler, doesn’t have that luxury. While Rock Your World will bring a spotless record into the Kentucky Derby, including a resounding 4 ¼-length victory in the Santa Anita Derby on April 3, all three wins came within familiar surroundings.

How will Sadler’s fifth Derby starter, and first since Candy Boy in 2014, respond to getting on a plane and flying to uncharted territory?

“Shipping is always a concern, but we think he’ll do fine,” Sadler said. “When I look at the weather at Churchill (Downs) the last couple of days, I’m glad I’m in California.”

Sadler’s first Derby was 1993, when he saddled Corby for a sixth-place finish.

“When you’re training these horses every day, the years kinda roll on by,” he said of the number of years that have passed since his first Kentucky Derby. “I didn’t realize it had been that long. We’re looking forward (to this year’s), and it feels good to go back after a few years.”

The 64-year-old Long Beach native took an unconventional route to Louisville with Rock Your World. The Candy Ride colt made his first two starts on the Santa Anita turf before switching to dirt and running away with the Santa Anita Derby.

Like other trainers before him, Sadler says he’s evolved over the years.

“The best trainers that were ahead of me, they were always learning something new and I hope I am included in that,” he said. “I try not to be locked down on just one thing I do. I try to have an open mind, and I think you see that in the preparation (of Rock Your World).”

O’Neill has taken three different routes to Louisville.

In 2012, O’Neill used the Santa Anita Derby as a final prep for I’ll Have Another’s Derby success. Four years later, he sent Nyquist out to win the Florida Derby for his final Churchill Downs tuneup.

This year, he decided Louisiana was the perfect spot for Hot Rod Charlie.

Much like Sadler, O’Neill has evolved in the training game. He’s maybe cut down on the number of Derby preps he now uses.

“As I’m doing it a little bit longer, and we’ve seen (Bob) Baffert do this, too, less is more,” he said. “I think you want to bring a horse (to the Derby) that has really fresh legs and has a good mind and can go a mile and a quarter against 19 other horses. They gotta be light on their feet and their tank’s gotta be full.”

Those are words to train by.

SANTA ANITA LEADERS Through Thursday Jockeys / Wins