Bolt d'Oro turns in half-mile final Derby drill

ARCADIA, Calif. – Everyone knows Bolt d’Oro is an outstanding colt, a three-time graded winner who finished a creditable second last out in the Santa Anita Derby.

What is less clear is how much chance Bolt d’Oro has to win the Kentucky Derby. After his final workout Saturday at Santa Anita, the issue is unresolved.

Owner-trainer Mick Ruis said the half-mile workout by Bolt d’Oro was “perfect.”

The colt’s rider, Victor Espinoza, said the work was “just a little maintenance, nothing crazy.”

Apparently, a half-mile move one week before he runs 1 1/4 miles was all Bolt d’Oro needed.

“We worked him seven-eighths last week,” Ruis said. “If he isn’t fit and have the air in him now, he ain’t never gonna have it, that’s why. He only went a half-mile in 48, but did you see [his gallop-out]?”

Working at 7:45 a.m. under Espinoza, who will ride him for the first time in the Derby, Bolt d’Oro went the first quarter-mile in 24.20 seconds, finished in 48.20 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.40.

Espinoza said Bolt d’Oro “feels better than he ever felt before today,” calling the half-mile work “excellent.” Espinoza added, “I didn’t have to do anything, I just sat on him.”

“Victor never moved a muscle, like we asked him to,” Ruis said. “Bolt is doing so good. We did not want him to shake a rein, or anything. I don’t think we could ask for a more perfect work.”

A half-mile workout is hardly a make-or-break drill, and Derby bettors that liked Bolt d’Oro have no reason to change their mind after Saturday. The same is true for those betting against him in the Derby.

Ruis believes Bolt d’Oro has changed – improved – as the year unfolded. He ran super in his March 10 comeback, and was second across the wire (placed first) in a highly rated San Felipe Stakes with a Beyer Speed Figure of 101. That was a grueling race following a 4 1/2-month layoff.

His second start back was one month later in the Santa Anita Derby, in which he earned a Beyer of 102 for his runner-up finish.

“Should he have bounced to the moon?” Ruis asked. “Yes. I think we bounced and still got a better Beyer.”

Since then, he is ever better. “From any time I’ve had him in my barn, he’s a different horse,” Ruis said.

Bolt d’Oro, with four wins and earnings of $1,016,000 from six starts, ships Monday to Churchill Downs.

Everyone knows Bolt d’Oro is good. Good enough to win the Kentucky Derby?

The answer arrives next Saturday.