Bolt d’Oro’s Destino d’Oro Powers Home in Pucker Up at Ellis

[Wandering Eyes]

Once she got to the lead in the lane, they couldn't reel her back in, and Destino d'Oro (Bolt d'Oro) sailed home much the best in the GIII Pucker Up Stakes at Ellis Park.

The Brad Cox runner started her career as a juvenile at Kentucky Downs in late August last season, and went back to front in a maiden special to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Deep in the field behind her were two next-out winners and GSW Will Then (War of Will). She tried a similar tactic Oct. 4 at Keeneland in the GII Jessamine Stakes, and was third in a blanket photo–the trifecta filled out by a difference of noses–with GSW & GISP May Day Ready (Tapit) and SW & MGSP Totally Justified (Justify).

Gone since those efforts, she resurfaced June 19 at Churchill Downs for her 3-year-old bow and once again roared home in the lane from last to win by a length against older allowance company.

Returning to graded company here, the public hammered Destino d'Oro at the windows until she left the gates as the even-money favorite. Content to track Drop the Hammer (Gun Runner) from second as that one posted fractions of :23.19, :47.65, and 1:10.97, the betting choice was the looming danger as they swung for home and the longtime leader threw in the towel at the top of the stretch. Inhaling that competition and leaving the cavalry to decide the minor placings, it was 3 3/4 lengths back to Hereforagoodtime (Justify) in second when the dust settled. Admit (Blame) was a neck back in third.

Sales history: $20,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $25,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $185,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. O-Steve Landers Racing LLC; B-Hurstland Farm, Inc. & James H. Greene Jr.; T-Brad Cox.

 

Destino D'Oro was a powerful winner in the G3 Pucker Up at @ellisparkracing!

Back-to-back stakes wins for jockey @luanmachado85! @bradcoxracing trains.

#TwinSpiresRepay pic.twitter.com/EoqqLH8qtw

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 3, 2025

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