Alma d’Oro continues his winning ways in the Forty Niner Stakes

Durable four-year-old Alma d’Oro has really come into his own through his 11 starts in 2010, and added the Forty Niner Stakes at Aqueduct on Sunday with ridiculous ease to cap off his stellar year. He has won two of his last three races, all in Stakes company, and but for a neck, would have won three of his last four starts for his owners, Robert and Mary Ellen Bourque and Stewart and Shari Goldstein, and trainer Todd Pletcher.

During the one mile event on the inner track, Alma d’Oro settled on the rail behind the leaders and moved up so comfortably on the backstretch he had to be taken in hand again by jockey Javier Castellano. So much the best, the bay colt didn’t make a move until well into the stretch, then exploded past his rivals to win by four and one-half lengths.

Bred by Fred N. Sahadi, he is a half-brother to stakes-placed Ford Island out of the Stakes-placed mare Brenda D S, she a half-sister to stakes winners Daniel’s Boy, Nicholas DS, Emma D and Joyce D. Alma d’Oro is inbred to the great Natalma 4 X 5 through Northern Dancer on his sire, Medaglia d'Oro’s side, and Nostrum, his dam’s broodmare sire.

Alma d’Oro was the 20th Stakes winner for Medaglia d’Oro when he won the Grover (Buddy) Delp Memorial Stakes back in October. Medaglia d’Oro is the sire of 13 other stakes winners in 2010 alone, including reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and G1 winners Warrior’s Reward, Champagne d’Oro and Gabby’s Golden Gal.