Bolt d’Oro’s Major Dude Back To Winning Ways in Kitten’s Joy

Settled in about 5th position early as fellow 10-1 opportunities Dude N Colorado (GB) (Uncle Mo) and Boppy O (Bolt d’Oro) eyeballed each other through sensible portions, Major Dude fell onto the fence with about a half-mile to race and took a trip well within the grasp of the in-form Irad Ortiz, Jr. as they raced around the turn. Following the three-wide relocation of his primary market competitor Candidate (Exaggerator) nearing the stretch, the $550,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga acquisition was produced 4 deep off the home corner with a sound turn of foot, wished to hang to his right while engaging the front-runners approaching the entryway to the last furlong and kicked on late to score conveniently. Candidate, who made all the going to beat the comebacking Major Dude in the one-mile Dania Beach S. Jan. 7, was beaten for speed this time around, however kipped down a noise late rally and simply held back Dude N Colorado for 3rd.

“He’s a super nice colt, very consistent,” said fitness instructor Todd Pletcher, who sent 2022 Kitten’s Joy winner Grand Sonata (Medaglia d’Oro). “I’ll talk to the guys at Spendthrift. We’re kicking around the idea of putting him on the dirt at some point. We’ll see when that opportunity comes up.”

A launching winner over the Monmouth primary track June 18, Major Dude was a well-beaten 3rd in the one-mile Sapling S. at the Jersey Shore oval Aug. 27 prior to triggering a 10-1 upset when attempting grass for the very first time in the GII Pilgrim S. at Aqueduct Oct. 2. The bay was not able to conquer a scary attract 13 in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and signed in ninth prior to kipping down a useful seasonal unveiling last time out.

Pedigree Notes:

The Cleary family’s Clearsky Farms acquired this colt’s stakes-placed dam for $320,000 in foal to The Factor at Keeneland November in 2016. Mary Rita is a full-sister to the SP Unbound, whose 4 winners from 5 to race consist of ‘TDN Rising Star’ Arabian Lion (Justify), while Major Dude’s 3rd dam is the redoubtable  Personal Ensign, the dam of MGISW My Flag (Easy Goer) and granddam of champ Storm Flag Flying (Storm Cat). This is, naturally, the Phipps family of Grade I winners Miner’s Mark, Traditionally and Mr Speaker and the extra graded winners Fire Away (War Front)–who was just recently represented by his very first winner in South Africa–and Vigilantes Way (Medaglia d’Oro).

Major Dude is reproduced on a version of the extremely effective cross of Medaglia d’Oro over Distorted Humor that is accountable for the similarity double Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus), Elate and New Money Honey. The changeover mares by Distorted Humor’s sire Forty Niner has actually led to the extra Grade I winners and champs Songbird and Rachel Alexandra.

Mary Rita is the dam of a 2-year-old colt by Audible, missed out on to Authentic and was amongst the very first book of mares reproduced to Charlatan.

Saturday, Gulfstream
KITTEN’S PLEASURE S.-GIII, $175,000, Gulfstream, 2-4, 3yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:40.22, gd.
1–MAJOR GUY, 124, c, 3, by Bolt d’Oro