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Preakness Stakes Betting: The field for the Preakness Stakes may have gotten a little more interesting after Bolt d’Oro connections reversed their original plan. Owner/trainer Mick Ruis said he would return his colt to California after a disappointing 12th place finish in the Kentucky Derby, but he had second thoughts after digesting what happened at Churchill Downs. Bolt d’Oro had a marvelous start to his career winning his first three races before taking third at the Breeders Cup Juvenile behind Derby runner-up Good Magic.
The Preakness Stakes will be run on Saturday, May 19, 2018 with post time set for 6:20 p.m. ET at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Catch the Preakness Stakes live on NBC.
Bolt d’Oro
Career Record: 4-1-1
Career Earnings: $1,016,000
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A late possible entry to the Preakness field, odds have yet to surface for Bolt d’Oro. He gave Derby champ Justify a race in the final tuneup before the Run for the Roses, finishing second at the Santa Anita Derby after applying pressure on the final turn. That led to some optimism for the Kentucky Derby, however after running third through a mile, Bolt d’Oro tired on the slow track and ended 12th. Victor Espinosa had the mount at the Derby and was the third different rider in the last four races. It looks as though Corey Nakatani would take the reins should Bolt d’Oro run the Preakness.
Why Bolt d’Oro Will Win the Preakness Stakes
He proved he could run with Justify at the Santa Anita Derby, closing to within a length of the lead off the final turn, but Bolt d’Oro didn’t have the closing speed and eventually lost that race by three lengths. He’s had good runs during his career with four firsts while placing in the money in each of his first six starts. The 12th place finish at the Derby was disappointing, but Ruis conceded the muddy track wasn’t to his horse’s liking.
Bolt d’Oro will also have a familiar rider for the Preakness if he runs. It was confirmed Nakatani will take the irons in the colt’s next race. Nakatani guided Bolt d’Oro to his best performances, winning his first three rides, including the FrontRunner stakes last summer that established Bolt d’Oro as an early Kentucky Derby favorite.
Why Bolt d’Oro Won't Win the Preakness Stakes
Running against Preakness favorite Justify at the Santa Anita Derby, Bolt d’Oro ran a brilliant race but still ended up short, losing by three lengths after closing the gap on the final turn. Then there was the Derby, where Bolt d’Oro couldn’t get going in the slop. In the two head-to-head matchups, Bolt d’Oro just didn’t have enough to overtake Justify.
The Final Verdict
Along with Good Magic, Bolt d’Oro moves into one of the favorite positions behind Justify, and he has plenty to prove after his Derby disaster. A dry track will certainly help and Bolt held his own at Santa Anita, so there is hope. But the stretch run at the Santa Anita Derby proved just how much stronger Justify is. There is a strong chance Bolt d’Oro finishes in the money at the Preakness, though.
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2018 Preakness Stakes Contenders
