Multiple Grade I winner Bolt d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) completed major preparations for his 3-year-old debut Monday morning at Santa Anita with a sharp half-mile breeze in :46.40, earning the bullet from 95 workers at the distance. The bay colt is set to clash with undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' McKinzie (Street Sense) in Saturday's GII San Felipe S. in Arcadia.
“He's ready to go,” said regular rider Victor Espinoza. “I'm impressed with how much he's improved since the last time I worked him. I knew we were going pretty quick, but he was doing it on his own. I encouraged him just a little bit. He's fit enough … Hopefully, he can run a big race.”
Winner of the GI Del Mar Futurity and GI FrontRunner S. as a juvenile, the $630,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate was last seen running third as the heavy favorite in the GI Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile Nov. 4. He is expected to use the San Felipe as a springboard to the Apr. 7 GI Santa Anita Derby.
“We have a plan,” said owner/trainer Mick Ruis immediately following the work. “The San Felipe isn't really the race we're pointing for … He's got a lot of talent. He'll be really good in the Santa Anita Derby.”
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