After a much-discussed stretch-long battle in the GII San Felipe S., which resulted in McKinzie (Street Sense) being disqualified from first and placed second behind Bolt d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), both colts were in fine condition Sunday morning, according to their trainers. Bolt d'Oro, a dual Grade I winner at two who won for the fourth time from five starts Saturday, is primed to move forward from his sophomore debut, trainer Mick Ruis said.
“Bolt came back fantastic, ate his food, his legs are tight and cold, so we live for another day,” Ruis said early Sunday morning. “He's going to build off that race, because we didn't have him all the way [cranked].”
Ruis was non-committal when asked if jockey Javier Castellano would opt to stay aboard his colt on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby.
“I don't know yet,” he said. “We have to talk to Javier and see what he wants to do, but I've got another jockey who's licking his chops if he doesn't want to ride,” alluding to three-time Kentucky Derby winner Victor Espinoza.
Jimmy Barnes, assistant to trainer Bob Baffert, confirmed that McKinzie also emerged from the race no worse for the wear.
“[He is] very good. We're in great shape,” Barnes said.
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