By Joe Bianca
Two well-regarded debut winners faced off in the stretch of the GI Del Mar Futurity Sept. 4, with only three-quarters of a length separating them on the wire. Saturday, the pair will lock horns again, this time traversing two turns in the GI FrontRunner S. at Santa Anita, a “Win and You're In” race for the GI Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Ruis Racing LLC's Bolt d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) opened eyes when overcoming a tardy start to capture his debut Aug. 5 at Del Mar and, after being slow to go in the Futurity, made a big, wide move on the turn to get up and stay undefeated. The horse he ran down, Zayat Stables LLC's Zatter (Midnight Lute), also impressed in a first-out graduation Aug. 20 and also ran well in the Futurity, dueling widest on a sharp pace before just succumbing late.
Bolt d'Oro, a $630,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga buy, has a pedigree geared more toward stretching out, being out of a mare who spent her whole career going two turns with a second dam who was a five-time route stakes winner. Zatter also will have to navigate a trip from the tricky rail draw, while Bolt d'Oro drew the four-hole.
The Zayats have ample backup if Zatter falters, however, as they also send out well-regarded debut victor Solomini (Curlin). Backed down to even-money Sept. 2 at Del Mar, the $270,000 KEESEP pickup settled off the pace professionally, had to go wide on the turn and kicked strongly in the stretch to win going away despite failing to switch leads.
Reddam Racing LLC's Encumbered (Violence) will try to transfer his turf form to dirt in the FrontRunner. A distant fourth with a wide journey debuting on the local dirt July 3, the $225,000 OBS April purchase graduated first time on grass July 30 at Del Mar and repeated in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf S. Sept. 3. The bay shows a pair of sharp main track works in the interim, going five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 (7/90) Sept. 23.
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