Bolt d’Oro Shows Big Promise in G1 Del Mar Futurity

DEL MAR, CA – Owner/trainer Mick Ruis’ Bolt d’Oro showed big moves and bigger promise, overcoming a squeeze at the start and rallying from near the rear to catch Zatter in the final furlong and win Monday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Futurity.

“He got wiped out in the beginning, again,” Ruis said. “But this horse has so much talent. He can go to the front, he can come from the back.”

Under Corey Nakatani, Bolt d’Oro settled off the rail after his poor start while Soul Streit set the early pace. Advancing four-wide on the turn and into the stretch, Bolt d’Oro dug deep to bid outside of Zatter, gaining the lead in deep stretch to hit the wire first in a final time of 1:22.91.

“I was pretty confident going into the race,” Nakatani said. “I thought he was the horse to beat; that they’d have to pick their feet up to beat him. But he’s a very talented colt; he’s very classy. I knew I’d have to have some patience today; to just wait some. And it worked out. In the lane, he was big. I have to thank Mick. He gave me this shot and I’m glad it worked out.”

Zatter was 4 3/4 lengths clear of the favored Run Away, who nosed out Dia de Pago for third. Soul Streit, Tatters to Riches, Gracida, Master Ruler, and Fleetwood completed the order of finish.

The son of Medaglia d’Oro stamped himself as a major contender in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile race, which will be competed over an extra 1 1/2 furlongs here at Del Mar in November. His owner/trainer may be more excited than anyone else for that race, though first, he’ll contest the Grade 1 FrontRunner at Santa Anita.

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“I had this horse maybe 70% cranked (today),” Ruis said. “I’ll have him a little bit tighter for the FrontRunner, so we’re real excited about that. Then we’ll see about the big race here.

“What does the sign say up front — 59 days away?”

Bolt d’Oro returned $9.80 to win, $5.60 to place, and $3.80 to show. Zatter brought back $4.60 to place and $3.20 to show, while Run Away paid $3 to show.