Bokeelia Island closed like a rocket to win the J.R. Malouff Handicap by three-quarters of a length at The Downs at Albuquerque 13 July 2019.
It was the first Stakes win for the seven-year-old horse by Medaglia d’Oro, who now has hit-the-board in ten of seventeen lifetime starts.
Bokeelia Island trailed early in the race as favored Pendleton set the pace between rivals. Pendleton tried to put some distance between himself and the rest of the field in the stretch, but Bokeelia Island mounted a strong bid and charged home late, hitting the wire three-quarters of a length in front of Pendleton.
Bokeelia Island was bred in Kentucky by the Phipps Stable. He is out of Matlacha Pass, a full sister to Pleasant Home (G1 Breeders' Cup Distaff) and Country Hideaway (G2 First Flight Handicap, twice). Bokeelia Island is a half-brother to multiple G1 winners Point Of Entry (Man o’ War Stakes, Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap, etc.) and Pine Island (Alabama Stakes, Gazelle Stakes).
Medaglia d'Oro is the sire of 31 Stakes performers in 2019 - seven Group or Graded winners - including Elate, winner of the G2 Delaware Handicap and G2 Fleur de Lis; Majestic Eagle, winner of the G3 American Stakes at Santa Anita and G1 Rosehill Guineas winner, Crown Prosecutor. With the 2019 sales season soon to get underway, it should be noted that Medaglia d'Oro was the sire of eight million-dollar yearlings last year.
Watch for his first select yearlings selling at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga in August.
