Multiple Grade 1 winner Bolt d’Oro geared up for his first test versus older horses in the June 9 Metropolitan H. (G1) with a blazing five-furlong move in :57.00 at Keeneland Monday.
Returning to the worktab for the first time since his uncharacteristic 12th in the Kentucky Derby (G1), the Mick Ruis colt outstripped workmate Orbit Rain, a maiden who clocked :58.40.
“I thought it was a really nice work,” Ruis said. “It was faster than I thought he was going to go, but he did it so easy. He’s doing really well.”
Bolt worked 5/8 this morning. Less than 2 weeks away from the #metmile #boltdoro @spendthriftfarm @ShelbeRuis pic.twitter.com/ioQgXK6mBj
— Bolt d’Oro (@theboltshow) May 28, 2018
Bolt d’Oro was under consideration for the Preakness (G1), until his owner/trainer decided to point for the Met Mile on Belmont Day.
“The time off between the Derby and the Preakness is really helping him out,” Ruis said. “Today, it was the first time I worked him with Orbit (Rain). I really didn’t have many horses here (at Keeneland) from my main stable. He was only supposed to work a half, but they gave him five-eighths. I was really happy the way he did it and happy with the way he cooled out, like it was no big deal. He recovered nice right away after the work.”
The Metropolitan serves as a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1). The historic Belmont Park fixture is also expected to lure older star Mind Your Biscuits, coming off a repeat victory in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) on World Cup night.
At Belmont Park, several of trainer Chad Brown’s squadron for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival turned in works. The reigning back-to-back Eclipse Award winner, who has new recruit Gronkowski on course for the Belmont S. (G1), is well stocked especially for the turf stakes.
Chilean champion Robert Bruce and multiple Grade 1 star Beach Patrol each limbered up for the Manhattan H. (G1), touring five furlongs on the soft inner turf in 1:01.54 and 1:01.88 respectively.
Robert Bruce captured his U.S. premiere in the Fort Marcy (G3).
“He’s fit and ready off that one start where he was very impressive,” Brown said. “He had to overcome a lot. I now see him move forward in his work heading into the Manhattan.”
Beach Patrol exits a close second in the Old Forester Turf Classic (G1) for the second straight year on Derby Day. His Monday move came in company with top turf three-year-old Analyze It, bound for Saturday’s Pennine Ridge (G3).
“He (Beach Patrol) came out of the race well,” Brown reported. “He’s trained well since and should move forward.”
Brown figures to have a strong hand in the Just a Game (G1) as well with A Raving Beauty and Off Limits in the mix.
German import A Raving Beauty a captivating winner of the Beaugay (G3) in her American premiere, breezed five grassy furlongs in 1:01.34 in company with Sistercharlie (more on her below).
“We thought enough of her to put her in stake like that, so obviously she was training well,” Brown said. “To run as well as she did off the layoff was even better than expected. We were confident she had that ability, but for her to do it the first time she ran here first time against a solid group of horses was impressive.”
Matriarch (G1) heroine Off Limits, most recently third in the Jenny Wiley (G1), strode a half in :50.55 on the good training track.
Her stablemates who filled the top two spots in Brown’s Jenny Wiley trifecta, Sistercharlie and Fourstar Crook, are set to step up in trip for the 1 1/4-mile New York (G2) on June 8. Sistercharlie worked with A Raving Beauty on turf, while Fourstar Crook went a half on the training track in :50.44.
Grade 3 vixen Significant Form, set for the June 7 Wonder Again (G3), traversed five grassy furlongs in 1:02.36 alongside Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) queen Rushing Fall (not expected at the Belmont Festival and exploring her other options). Stablemate Altea could join Significant Form in the Wonder Again.
Ruffian (G2) winner Pacific Wind breezed five furlongs in 1:01.98 on the training track for the Ogden Phipps (G1), a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
Also on the training track, Brooklyn Invitational (G2) candidate Take Your Guns clocked the same distance in 1:01.67.
“Take Your Guns worked well today with Proven Reserves (a debut winner who finished in 1:01.66),” Brown said. “He’s on target for the Brooklyn. It’s a long ways to go, but he’s always struck me as a horse wanted to go the distance. Last year I was trying to get him ready for the Belmont in the Peter Pan (G3) but he got injured (when fourth) in the race. I always thought of him as a staying horse and he’ll have his chance in the Brooklyn.”
Brown is also aiming Call Provision for the June 8 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational (G2), and Engage, Gronkowski’s recent workmate, for the Woody Stephens (G2) on Belmont Day.
