Bolt D’Oro ‘Right On Point’ Ahead Of Santa Anita Derby

Leading Triple Crown contender Bolt d’Oro had his final major drill Sunday for next Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby, going five furlongs at 7:45 on an overcast Easter morning in 1:01.20 with former jockey Agapito Delgadillo in the saddle.

The $630,000 son of Medaglia d’Oro worked in company with Midnight Harbor, who was clocked in 1:01.60.

Owner/trainer Mick Ruis said the work was “good’ for the $1 million, Grade I Santa Anita Derby, the West Coast’s major steppingstone to the Kentucky Derby on May 5.

“He did everything he needed to do,” said private clocker Toby Turrell of Bolt d’Oro’s work. “He finished up real well and was under no real pressure at all. He was right on point.”

Bolt d’Oro (Outside) logged his final work ahead of the @santaanitapark Derby going 5 Furlongs in 1:01.20 on April 1st, 2018 for trainer Mick Ruis. @ShelbeRuis
Be sure to head over to https://t.co/vCZgVVRYIS for more on-demand content and exclusive workouts! pic.twitter.com/Yl1XGmPPmB

— XBTV (@WatchXBTV) April 1, 2018

With the announcement Saturday that McKinzie will miss the Santa Anita Derby due to an issue on one of his hind legs, Bob Baffert could call an audible and enter undefeated budding superstar Justify in the race. A decision from the Hall of Fame trainer is expected after the son of Scat Daddy works Monday at Santa Anita

Ruis worked another Santa Anita Derby nominee Sunday in Orbit Rain, a son of 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb, who went five furlongs in 1:01.80 under Brice Blanc who will ride him in the race.

Also working Sunday for a possible start in the Santa Anita Derby was Pepe Tono for Victor Garcia who trains the son of Bodemeister for his father, owner “King” Juan Garcia. Pepe Tono went five furlongs in 1:01.20.

Entries for the Santa Anita Derby and six other stakes on the blockbuster 12-race card, including the Grade I Santa Anita Oaks, will be taken this Wednesday, April 4.

The Santa Anita Derby awards 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the winner, 40 to the runner-up, 20 for third and 10 for fourth. The winner’s share is $600,000. Second is worth $200,000, third $120,000 and fourth $50,000.

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