Bolt d'Oro makes debut Saturday with high expectations

DEL MAR, Calif. – Maiden 2-year-old colts have been running to expectations at Del Mar this summer, and on Saturday, the highly regarded Bolt d’Oro will try to continue that theme.

Bolt d’Oro, a $630,000 Medaglia d’Oro colt owned and trained by Mick Ruis, makes his career debut as the race 7 favorite at 6 1/2 furlongs. If he runs like he works, Bolt d’Oro could make it 3 for 3 for favorites in juvenile maiden special weights.

“He trains like a really good horse,” Ruis said. “I don’t think I’ve had something as nice as him. I haven’t been able to sleep the last couple nights.”

Bolt d’Oro is named after Usain Bolt, the Olympic gold medalist considered the fastest man in the world. Based on his Del Mar works, Bolt d’Oro is appropriately named. His five-furlong work in 59 seconds July 22 was the fastest of the day. He followed with a sharp team workout in 1:00 last Saturday.

“He didn’t breathe hard after his last workout,” Ruis said, “but we still have to run the race, right?”

Ruis said the 6 1/2-furlong distance “is what we wanted” and added that jockey Corey Nakatani “says he is going to be better around two turns.”

Both maiden special weight sprints for 2-year-old colts this summer were won by first-time starters who were favored: Gracida earned a 75 Beyer Speed Figure on July 22, and Tatters to Riches earned a 78 last Saturday.

Rivals for Bolt d’Oro include first-time starters So Long Sailor, King Cause, and Xten.