Bolt d'Oro Moving to Asmussen Barn After Freshening
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Robert Mauhar
Bolt d'Oro trains for the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park, where he finished last of 11
Mick and Wendy Ruis' multiple grade 1 winner Bolt d'Oro is scheduled to move to the barn of trainer Steve Asmussen after he finishes a freshening at Ruis' farm in Lexington, according to Spendthrift Farm general manager Ned Toffey.
The decision was made by Mick Ruis, who previously trained the Medaglia d'Oro colt himself, according to Toffey.
B. Wayne Hughes' Spendthrift does not own a stake in Bolt d'Oro for his racing career but has partnered with the Ruis family for the colt's stud career.
"Steve Asmussen is as good as there is," Toffey said. "Mick spoke with us, spoke with Mr. Hughes, and we were onboard with the idea. And we're happy to have them there, but this was Mick's recommendation."
Mick Ruis declined to comment on the status of Bolt d'Oro July 19. Toffey said a future race target for the colt has not been determined.
Both of Bolt d'Oro's top-level wins came during his 2-year-old season in 2017, when he won the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and FrontRunner Stakes (G1) consecutively. Although he was named the victor in the March 10 San Felipe Stakes (G2) via the disqualification of McKinzie, Bolt d'Oro hasn't crossed the wire first in five starts since the FrontRunner in September at Santa Anita Park, albeit against top competition.
BALAN: Bolt d'Oro Defeats McKinzie Via DQ in San Felipe
Bolt d'Oro finished third in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) to cap his 2-year-old season and came in second to eventual Triple Crown winner Justify in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). His last two starts have been his worst, though, as he finished 12th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and was last of 11 in the June 9 Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1) last time out at Belmont Park.