A narrow-margin victory in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) in early September looks, in retrospect, to have been just the tip of an iceberg known as Bolt d’Oro. On Saturday, the son of Medaglia d’Oro turned in a more stunning display in the $301,380 FrontRunner (G1) at Santa Anita, winning the 1 1/16-mile test by 7 3/4 lengths under Corey Nakatani.
Not only did Bolt d’Oro stamp himself as the likely heavy favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar on November 4, for which he gained an automatic bid by taking the “Win & You’re In” FrontRunner, but also as the early choice for the 2018 Kentucky Derby (G1), for which he earned 10 qualifying points as part of the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series.
Sent off the 9-10 favorite in a field of nine, Bolt d’Oro broke alertly and settled in second behind 72-1 outsider Take the One O One, who set a pace of :23.17, :47.23, and 1:11.88. Bolt d’Oro seized control from that rival around the turn, opened up three lengths in mid-stretch and extended that margin to the wire. The final time over a fast track was 1:43.54.
“I was more impressed when I watched the replay,” Nakatani said. “I really liked the way he did it. He’s confident wherever he is at, he is a special animal.
“I’m looking forward to the Breeders’ Cup as well as the first Saturday in May in Kentucky.”
Owned and trained by Mick Ruis, Bolt d’Oro paid $3.80. Solomini, the third choice in the field and one of two Bob Baffert entries, rallied for second, 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Take the One O One. Next across the wire in a highly strung-out field were Ayacara, Del Mar Futurity runner-up and Baffert trainee Zatter, Encumbered, City Plan, Continental Divide, and Texas Wedge.
A debut winner by 2 1/4 lengths at Del Mar going 6 1/2 furlongs on August 5, Bolt d’Oro followed up with the Futurity win at seven furlongs. His earnings now stand at $396,000.
Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, Bolt d’Oro was a $650,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga purchase. He was produced by the A.P. Indy mare Globe Trot, who has also reared the multiple Grade 2-placed stakes winner Sonic Mule. Also hailing from this extended family is multiple Grade 1 winner Zensational.
