Corona Bolt Goes Wire-to-Wire in Lafayette
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Photo: Casey Laughter
Corona Bolt fends off Hejazi to win the Lafayette Stakes at Keeneland
Corona Bolt has found his niche.
After fading to sixth last out in the 1 1/16 mile Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park, the 3-year-old colt returned to one turn and notched his second black-type victory April 7 at Keeneland in the $400,000 Lafayette Stakes.
"I think he's meant to be a one-turn horse. When you do that, you have to breeze them a little sharper, maybe not train them quite as much throughout the week," said trainer Brad Cox after the colt's success in the seven-furlong event.
"He's a very, very good colt. I'm thankful for the opportunity with him and I think he has a big future. We need to find some graded stakes for him and we're excited about what lies ahead."
Away sharply from the gate under Florent Geroux, the colt rocketed to third on the fast dirt track and quickly drove to the lead, zipping an opening quarter in :22.28. With a half-mile gone in a snappy :44.80, Hejazi sat in second with Hurricane J in third. As the seven-horse field raced into the final turn, Hejazi dug in but Corona Bolt fended off the advance down the stretch and was able to pull ahead by one length at the wire in a final time of 1:23.21.
Hejazi was second and 66-1 Freezing Point came third.
The winning connections of Corona Bolt in the trophy presentation for the Lafayette Stakes
Bred by Summerfield Sales Agency and Etarip Stables in Florida, the Bolt d'Oro colt was a $225,000 purchase by Vallone Racing as a weanling at the 2020 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. He is now owned by Stonestreet Stables who campaigned him to a win in the Sugar Bowl Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in December of last year. After the Lafayette, Corona Bolt improved his record to 4-0-0 from five starts and increased his earnings to $356,400.
"He's a great horse, especially at shorter distances, he's very fast," Stonestreet owner Barbara Banke said after the race. "We were a little worried when we saw that :22 come up that he was gonna overdo it but he kept them back and fought on to the finish.
"We'll talk to the trainer (where he goes next) but he didn't look that tired. He looked OK to me, he wasn't totally worn out. So we'll see but he'll be fun for the summer that's for sure."
Corona Bolt is out of the Quiet American mare Stormbeforethecalm who has two winners from three foals to race, including stakes winner Proven Strategies .