Bolt d'Oro gearing up for Met Mile

Bolt d’Oro was allowed to stretch his legs Tuesday at Keeneland in an untimed half-mile move over Keeneland’s main track as he prepares for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap on June 9 at Belmont Park.

Mick Ruis, the owner and trainer of Bolt d’Oro, said Tuesday’s training session would set him up for an official workout Monday. Ruis said that while he plans to work Bolt d’Oro at Keeneland, he could switch the work to Churchill due to the potential for wet weather.

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Ruis said that based on forecasts he has seen, it could be drier in Louisville than in Lexington on Monday. Ruis said Bolt d’Oro would work Monday and then on June 3 in Kentucky before shipping to New York on June 6.

“He’s doing really, really good. I’m so happy I passed on the Preakness to give him a little more time and get him going in the Met,” Ruis said. “I think he’ll like it.”

Ruis said he still plans to have Corey Nakatani ride Bolt d’Oro, but that depends on how close Nakatani can get to whatever weight Bolt d’Oro is assigned.

“I told Corey he better start his diet now,” Ruis said.

As a 3-year-old, Bolt d’Oro is expected to get a significant weight break from the older horses. Nominations for the Met Mile close Saturday. Weights will be assigned by June 2.