LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Echoes of the Kentucky Derby reverberated far and wide Saturday with a thrilling renewal of the Grade 2 Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs, where Hot Rod Charlie posted a hard-fought triumph. Rich Strike, the winner of the 148th Derby here in May, took Hot Rod Charlie to the wire in a stirring stretch run, only to come up maybe 12 inches shy of his first victory since that 80-1 stunner. The result found Eric Reed, the trainer of Rich Strike, engaged in an emotional post-race conversation with trophy presenter D. Wayne Lukas, the iconic four-time Derby winner for whom the race is named – followed by a bear hug of several seconds between Reed and Doug O’Neill, a two-time Derby winner who trains Hot Rod Charlie. “Just incredible,” O’Neill said afterward. Hot Rod Charlie, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, returned $4.66 as favorite, with Rich Strike being the only 3-year-old in a field of six. The 1 1/8-mile race set up as many had predicted, with Art Collector setting the pace and Hot Rod Charlie in close pursuit, but it was the emergence of Rich Strike for a riveting stretch duel with Hot Rod Charlie that was something of a surprise. Hot Rod Charlie, himself a Derby alum as the third finisher (elevated to second) in the 2021 running, ran nine furlongs in 1:49.77 over a fast track to earn $305,520 of the $498,000 purse and getting a 101 Beyer Speed Figure. He upped his bankroll to $5,556,720 for ownership partners Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, Bill Strauss, and Gainesway Thoroughbreds. The 4-year-old Oxbow colt was to return later in the evening to Keeneland, where he has been training for O’Neill for the last three months, with the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland to be his next start. On a perfect autumn afternoon, Art Collector went in splits of 23.55, 47.94, and 1:11.77 before Hot Rod Charlie began to get the better of him. In the upper stretch, Rich Strike and jockey Sonny Leon started gaining while farthest outside, and inside the eighth pole, the drama began. Rich Strike actually was slightly ahead for much of those final 200 yards, but in the shadow of the wire, Hot Rod Charlie surged back ahead for his fifth win from 18 starts. King Fury rallied to be third, 4 1/4 lengths behind the top pair, with Happy Saver, Art Collector, and Chess Chief rounding out the order. :: DRF Bets members get FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic. Join now! “My horse put himself in a great spot,” said Gaffalione. “He traveled great throughout, and when I called on him, he really finished up nice, especially when the other horse came to him.” “We’re just so proud,” said O’Neill, further crediting Bob and Sean Feld, who purchased the horse for the partners. Reed was trembling with joy at how Rich Strike vindicated himself in defeat. Owned by the RED TR-Racing of Rick Dawson, the Keen Ice colt was sent away the 9-2 fourth choice. “He showed the turn of foot I know he has,” he said. In deep stretch, “I did think we were going to win, but a tough older horse like Hot Rod Charlie, he never gives up. The great thing is our horse took another step forward again.” “Eric found out what he needed to know,” Lukas chimed in. Reed had said beforehand that he was inclined to bypass the BC Classic with Rich Strike and wait for the Nov. 25 Clark, but he said the brave showing Saturday may lead to the Classic. “We’ve got a lot of fun coming ahead of us, regardless,” he said. The $2 exacta (5-4) paid $26.68, the $1 trifecta (5-4-1) returned $79.86, and the 10-cent superfecta (5-4-1-3) was worth $13.82. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.