Gary Tasich Photo
McKinzie and Bolt d'Oro roared into the stretch in the San Felipe Stakes, locked in fervid battle. None of the other contenders could keep up. This was now a match race. The tenacious duo looked each other dead in the eye, and it was on. Neither colt was willing to succumb to defeat. Stride for stride they went, fighting each other tooth and nail. In the heat of the moment, the battle went beyond a speed duel and got physical. McKinzie moved out into Bolt d'Oro's path, bumping him and forcing him to go wide down the stretch. But the contact wasn't enough to falter either colt, and the fight raged on to the wire. It was a heart-pounding stretch drive that looked destined for a photo finish. But in the final strides, McKinzie found just enough to pull ahead, and stormed over the wire with a slight lead. However, victory would be short lived. The dreaded inquiry sign flashed almost immediately onto the board, and in an instant, the race was back on again.
After much thought and consideration, the stewards made the agonizing decision to disqualify McKinzie due to his interference with Bolt d'Oro in the stretch. With McKinzie placed as second, Bolt d'Oro was now the winner. Shock and anger quickly spread like wildfire among the fans, dividing the supporters of McKinzie and Bolt d'Oro. While some agreed with the decision, believing that McKinzie forced Bolt d'Oro to lose ground and momentum, others felt that McKinzie was robbed, and that his clear advantage at the end suggested that he would have won regardless if he interfered with Bolt d'Oro or not. Regardless of which side was believed to be right or wrong, the record was now in the books, leaving the 2018 San Felipe Stakes as one of the most controversial Kentucky Derby preps in history.
Immediately after the race, Bob Baffert was left with a sour taste in his mouth over the disqualification of his colt. Clearly displeased with the decision, Baffert considered sending McKinzie to a different track for his final race before the Kentucky Derby. It looked like a rematch with Bolt d'Oro would have to wait until May. However, as the days passed and Baffert had time to think, he decided that his colt wasn't going anywhere. It was announced that the Santa Anita Derby would serve as McKinzie's final prep, the very same race that Bolt d'Oro is aiming for. Now it looks like the pair will have a chance to settle their debate before the first Saturday in May, making for a very dramatic build up to the Derby.
Mick Ruis, trainer of Bolt d'Oro, has very high expectations leading into the anticipated rematch with his colt. From the very beginning, Ruis knew he had a special animal on his hands. At the age of two, Bolt d'Oro started his career off with a three-race winning streak, taking down victories in the Del Mar Futurity (Gr.1) and FrontRunner Stakes (Gr.1) along the way. It wasn't until a troubled trip in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile where the nimble son of Medaglia d'Oro met defeat after finishing third behind Good Magic and Solomini. Despite the loss, the faith that Ruis had in his colt never wavered and he remained steadfast in his belief that his colt would have what it takes to make it to the Derby. What he didn't know was that there would be some obstacles along the way.
As Bolt d'Oro's three-year-old debut neared, it became apparent that the colt would have to miss his anticipated start. A pulled muscle knocked him off of his game, setting him back behind his peers. Luckily, Bolt d'Oro was quick to recover and swiftly put himself back on the path to the Kentucky Derby. The steadfast colt proved his resiliency and heart in the San Felipe Stakes, stamping himself as a very serious contender for the "Run for the Roses". Whether you see Bolt d'Oro as the true winner of the San Felipe or not, it is still amazing to think that a horse can come back from such a long layoff, enter a race with fierce competition, and finish side by side with a horse like McKinzie. Not many athletes can pull that off, and it makes Bolt d'Oro a very interesting prospect to follow moving forward. His trainer stated that Bolt d'Oro was only about 80% cranked before the race, so imagine what kind of damage this horse can do when he's fully fit and prepared.
As impressive as Bolt d'Oro's comeback has been, Baffert's confidence in McKinzie remains unshaken. Talent and potential have been obvious in McKinzie from the start, when he effortlessly broke his maiden at first asking. From there, McKinzie dove right into stakes competition and took on a highly talented field of runners in the Los Alamitos Futurity (Gr.1). Perhaps that race was a foreshadowing that controversy would follow McKinzie, because while he did win, the victory came at the hands of a disqualification. McKinzie finished second in a frenzied three-way battle, but was placed first when Solomini got disqualified from first to third after interfering with Instilled Regard, who ran third. McKinzie quickly went back to winning the old fashion way after that, and romped home clear in the Sham Stakes (Gr.3) at Santa Anita a month later. His grit and consistency make him a formidable rival, giving Baffert the confidence to put him head to head with Bolt d'Oro once again. And while Baffert may have unwavering faith in his steed, the same can be said for Ruis and Bolt d'Oro. Ruis is predicting an enormous effort from his colt in the Santa Anita Derby, setting the stage for a showdown for the ages.
The epic showdown in the Santa Anita Derby isn't the only match up that we have to look forward to before the first Saturday in May. Another anticipated conflict is brewing in the Arkansas Derby, between two horses who have never met, but have a lot in common. The two heavyweights are Justify and Magnum Moon. Both colts are undefeated, both colts were unraced at the age of two, and both colts possess uncanny speed and talent.
Justify, Gary Tasich photo
Justify turned heads when he ran away from his challengers in a seven furlong maiden race at Santa Anita. Seeing any horse break is maiden by nearly 10 lengths is enough to inspire fans, but it wasn't just the margin of victory that was impressive, but the ease in which his victory came. Justify's win came with startling grace, making you wonder exactly what this horse is really capable of. If he could dominate his rivals without even trying, then what kind of damage could he do if he decides to go all out?
Justify returned to the races on March 11, in a one-mile allowance race, and proved that his maiden score was no fluke. Again, he won by open lengths, never breaking a sweat as he romped over the wire, leaving his rivals battered and destroyed. With a stride so flawless that he glides over the ground, and with speed that seemingly doesn't end, Justify has managed to captivate fans and experts alike with only two races to his name. He may be light on experience, but his potential is undeniable. With time running out to make the gate for the Kentucky Derby, Justify has to step things up and run with the big boys. The Arkansas Derby looms in his future, and with 100 Derby points on the line, a win will guarantee a spot in the starting gate for the prestigious Kentucky Derby. It is a massive challenge for such an inexperienced horse to take on so many accomplished rivals in what will only be his third start, but if any horse can pull this off, Justify looks like the horse for the job.
Justify's main rival in the Arkansas Derby appears to be Magnum Moon. The athletic, bay son of Malibu Moon was bred for distance, and has been gifted with natural skill and ability to go with his impressive bloodlines.
Magnum Moon displayed impressive versatility in his first two races when he broke his maiden on the front end in his debut, and then came back to win a race while rating from off the pace in his second start. The unflappable colt clearly had the competitive mindset of a winner and didn't seem to care where he was placed in a race. He could be on the lead from the get go or rate from behind. Magnum Moon didn't care, because he knew that he could stride his way to the front in time for the wire.
Magnum Moon boldly entered the Rebel Stakes (Gr.2) in his third lifetime start. The field was loaded with highly talented horses, many of which had far more racing experience than he. But the plucky youngster was unafraid and marched to post with composure and total confidence. When the starting gates flew open, Magnum Moon tracked from off the pace, and struck when the field turned for home. With a swift and commanding kick, Magnum Moon bulldozed through his rivals and took over with full force. With dazzling acceleration, Magnum Moon hightailed it to the wire, leaving his nearest competitor well beaten by 3 1/2 lengths.
Thanks to his win in the Rebel Stakes, Magnum Moon has 50 Kentucky Derby points. A win in the Arkansas Derby won't be as urgent compared to Justify, since Magnum Moon has already secured a spot in the Kentucky Derby. However, his unbeaten record will be on the line, and just like Justify, Magnum Moon will be determined to maintain it on his way to Louisville. Justify and Magnum Moon will be going head to head with each other in the Arkansas Derby, but on the first Saturday in May, they will also be joining forces to take on a curse that has haunted the Kentucky Derby for the past 136 years. No horse has won the Kentucky Derby having never raced at the age of two since Apollo in 1882. If Justify and Magnum Moon both make it to the Kentucky Derby, sound and healthy, both will have a chance to tackle Apollo's curse in a showdown against not only their peers, but history, as well.
Magnum Moon, Coady Photography (Oaklawn Park)
Thank you to Gary Tasich for the pictures of Bolt d'Oro, McKinzie, and Justify!
And thank you to Coady Photography for the shot of Magnum Moon!
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