Justify, ‘Bolt’ in Fine Condition, On to Churchill

[Wandering Eyes]

Undefeated ‘TDN Rising Star’ Justify (Scat Daddy) and Bolt d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro) emerged from their respective 1-2 finish in Saturday’s GI Santa Anita Derby in fine condition and will be pointed toward a rematch in the GI Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs May 5, their connections said Sunday morning.

“He looks good,” Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said of Justify after his wire-to-wire tally, in which he crossed the wire three lengths clear of Bolt d’Oro. “The track was really deep and loose yesterday and I was worried about that because he could have gotten really tired, but he acted like he wasn’t, and he handled it well. He’s still learning how to run, still a little green. He was out there [on the lead] by himself, looking at everything, taking it all in, but I like the way he responded when Bolt made that run at him [in mid-stretch]. Those two beat the rest of that field by a wide margin, so they’re serious horses. Justify and Bolt are the two best horses, and you have to give credit to Bolt. He doesn’t quit. He’s right there every time.”

Two-time Grade I winner Bolt d’Oro also came out of the race well, aside from a minor cut, and will head to Churchill Downs for a rematch with Justify in the Run for the Roses, trainer Mick Ruis confirmed.

“After the race, there was a little blood by his front quarter on the right side,” owner/trainer Mick Ruis said. “We washed it off and checked it out. It was like getting a splinter. No flesh came off, nothing like that. It just opened up a bit and in three days you won’t even know it’s there.”

Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) also punched her ticket to Churchill Downs with a late-running win in the GI Santa Anita Oaks. The filly was doing well Sunday morning, co-owner Jeff Bloom reported.

“She’s bright-eyed, cheery, happy and ate up all her food, so we’re happy,” said Bloom. “It’s on to Kentucky. The flight is booked. Actually, the flight’s been booked, but now it’s really booked.”

 

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