Bolt d Oro Strong Contender For Santa Anita Derby
Bolt d'Oro's wasn't kidding on 01 April in his final work before Gr.1 Santa Anita Derby.
In a strong five-furlong move under jockey Agapito Delgadillo, in company with stablemate Midnight Harbor, Ruis Racing's Medaglia d'Oro colt drew on even terms mid-stretch after he tracked about two lengths behind early, hit the wire in 1:01 1/5 in front by a neck, and surged into his gallop-out with powerful strides.
"I think it was a perfect work," said trainer Mick Ruis. "Right past the wire, Agapito said it felt like he was coming out of the starting gate again. I'm super pleased."
The 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby is California's last prep race for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and will mark just the second start of the season for Bolt d'Oro, who ranks fourth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 64 qualifying points. The bay colt won the Gr.1 Del Mar Futurity and Gr.1 Front Runner Stakesafter he broke his maiden at first asking, then finished third in the Gr,1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Minor issues delayed his 3-year-old debut until the Gr.2 San Felipe Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile test which he won via the disqualification of McKinzie after a pinball battle with the fellow grade 1 winner down the lane. The two were separated at the wire by just a head.
By Ritesh jamkhedkar-Ritesh.jamkhedkar@secretariatsworld.com