They had to endure a lengthy stewards’ inquiry and a jockey’s objection, but it was well worth it for the connections of Bolt d’Oro after their colt was awarded victory in the G2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita.
Making his first start of the year for Ruis Racing LLC, the son of Medaglia d’Oro battled the length of the stretch with fellow G1 winner McKinzie (Street Sense) only to fall a head short at the wire. A stewards’ inquiry was announced as soon as the horses crossed the finish line. After a very lengthy deliberation, the judges ruled that there was enough interference caused from McKinzie’s bumping of Bolt d’Oro in the stretch to warrant reversing the order of finish.
Bolt d’Oro became the second Graded Stakes winner of the afternoon for Medaglia d’Oro; his son Enticed captured the G3 Gotham Stakes less than an hour earlier at Aqueduct in New York.
Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm LLC, Bolt d’Oro was purchased by owner-trainer Mick Ruis for $630,000 at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August Yearling sale. He is out of Globe Trot, a winning daughter of A.P. Indy who has also produced two-time Stakes winner and Multiple Graded Stakes-placed Sonic Mule (by Distorted Humor). Bolt d’Oro hails from the family of Multiple G1 winner Zensational and Multiple Graded Stakes winner, Departing.
Medaglia d’Oro was the sire of seven G1 winners in 2017, more than any other stallion in North America. His G1 winners included two Breeders’ Cup winners – Talismanic (Turf) and Bar Of Gold (Filly & Mare Sprint). Medaglia d’Oro was also the sire of the G1-winning three-year-old fillies New Money Honey and Elate; turf mare Dickinson; two-time G1 winning juvenile Bolt d’Oro; and two-time Eclipse Champion Songbird.
Thus far in 2018, Medaglia d’Oro is represented not only by Bolt d’Oro, but also by Gotham winner Enticed and Wonder Gadot, who was recently third in the G2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes.
Medaglia d’Oro is standing the 2018 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $250,000.