RUIS HAS ONE BOLT OF A COLT FOR THE CUP
If you can see a lightning bolt, it certainly creates a “wow” factor. The literal and figurative electricity it brings is always something special for sure. If things go the way one Southern California native wants, there will be plenty of excitement surrounding one Bolt in particular come November 4.
When the horses head to old Del Mar by plane or train for the 34th running of the Breeders’ Cup, one man in particular hopes to capitalize on some serious Thoroughbred electricity. Owner/trainer Mick Ruis will look to saddle a colt that has a high voltage running style. The unbeaten Bolt d”Oro has simply been scintillating in his three career starts with the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile next up on the agenda.
“I have been in and out of the racing game over the past 20 years and I haven’t seen too many like him,” says Ruis. “Whether it is in our barn or some other barn, you just don’t see horses like him every day. He’s got a lot of energy about him and he just seems to love being a race horse.”
This son of Medaglia d’Oro has looked every bit the part of a race horse in his three wins. After winning a 6 ½ furlong maiden special weight at Del Mar on August 5, Bolt struck again in the Del Mar Futurity. Settling near the back of the field in the 7 furlong Futurity under jockey Corey Nakatani, this great grandson of Seattle Slew made a huge move at the top of the stretch and fought down the lane to win by a widening length.
After shocking his eight rivals on September 4, Bolt was even more electrifying in the mile and a sixteenth Frontrunner Stakes at Santa Anita on September 30. This time the son of mare Globe Trot broke alertly and sat about a length off the early pace in his first start around two turns. Reaching the quarter pole meant it was time to unleash his power. Turning for home, Nakatani and his colt bolted away from the field in lightning like fashion. Winning by 7 easy lengths, Bolt d”Oro showed the versatility and stamina his trainer knew he had.
“I think this is a horse that can absolutely win from anywhere,” says Ruis. “We backed him up at Del Mar on purpose. We did not want him to think he was a sprinter and wanted him to show some patience. At Santa Anita we let his high cruising speed show. A lot of the Medaglia d”Oro offsprings have that high cruising speed like their father. The speed numbers in the Frontrunner has everybody talking about him because horses have not run like that in over 20 years.”
For those that did not already know about him, the Frontrunner was an eye-opener. Of course, as a San Diego native, Ruis is excited about the possibilities the Breeders’ Cup brings for his Juvenile prospect. Running at home is always good, but he also understands the perspective of the game.
“We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves,” says Ruis. “He came out of the Frontrunner real nice and we are all very excited about the future. We have been walking him and he is ready to get back on the track. That is how much he loves his job. Running at Del Mar is always special because that is our home. He is two for two there so I think he likes the track. Now it is about keeping him healthy for what should be a great opportunity.”
The Breeders” Cup Juvenile will be run on Saturday, November 4 at a mile and a sixteenth distance with a purse of $2 million up for grabs.
Ruis Racing’s Bolt d’Oro and jockey Corey Nakatani win the Grade I, $300,000 FrontRunner Stakes, Saturday, September 30, 2017 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia CA.
© BENOIT PHOTO
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