Along with Derby favorite Justify, Bolt d’Oro is the only other contender that has earned three triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures and has spent plenty of time this spring as the early betting favorite for the Run for the Roses.
The colt won the Frontrunner (G1) at Santa Anita last September by 7 ¾ lengths and that earned him a trip to Del Mar where he was sent off as the betting favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). The colt was not off cleanly and picked up ground late but had to settle for third.
His three-year-old debut was delayed due to a few minor issues. He returned in the San Felipe (G2) on March 10 where he tracked the early pace, exchanged a few bumps in the stretch and was beaten a head by McKinzie.
In a controversial decision, McKinzie was disqualified and Bolt d’Oro was placed first.
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Justify won showdown at Santa Anita
Next up was a showdown in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) with Justify, who was making his stakes debut. Justify got the jump setting moderate early fractions and took the field gate to wire with Bolt d’Oro three lengths back in second. While he did not win, the race looks as if it was a good prep that should set him up nicely for Derby Day.
The colt was purchased for $630,000 and has a solid pedigree. He is by Medaglia d’Oro, who ran fourth in the 2002 Kentucky Derby and second in the Belmont Stakes. He won the Travers (G1) and Donn (G1) and ran second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) twice and was the runner-up in the 2004 Dubai World Cup (G1), his final career start.
Bolt d’Oro’s mare Globe Trot is by A.P. Indy and she has dropped one other runner, stakes Sportsbook Sonic Mule.
Espinoza a three-time Derby-winning rider
His trainer Mick Ruis will be sending out his first Derby starter and will give a leg up to three-time Derby-winning rider Victor Espinoza. Javier Castellano rode the colt in his last two starts but elected to stick with Audible, which was not really a surprise since that colt is trained by Todd Pletcher.
Bolt d’Oro checks all the boxes as far as a serious Derby contender is concerned. He has produced speed figures good enough to win, has the pedigree to handle 1 ¼ miles, and has a veteran jockey in the saddle.
His current odds of +850 make him the sixth choice in early wagering at Sportsbook, but this colt could possibly go off as the second or third choice by post time on Saturday if he does everything right during Derby week.
Record: 6-4-1-1
Earnings: $1,016,000
Sportsbook Odds: +850
Last Race: 2nd in the Santa Anita Derby (G1)
Handicapper Michael Dempsey will be covering the Triple Crown for OddsShark and his full card reports with selections, analysis, fair odds line and wagering recommendations for major tracks can be found daily at turfnsport.com.
