Bolo nabs Obviously at wire in Arcadia

Fit as a fiddle off a series of uninterrupted works, Bolo sat chilly in the second spot around Santa Anita’s picturesque turf course. When given his cue to go, the colt determinedly responded and showed his heart while just nabbing pace-setting Obviously at the wire in the 1 mile Grade 2 Arcadia Stakes.

Making his first start since finishing ninth in the G1 Belmont Derby Invitational, Bolo and jockey Flavien Prat won the break but offered no resistance when Obviously scooted past him to take the lead. Obviously, in the program as the 6 horse but breaking from gate 5 due to scratches, uncharacteristically broke a beat slow but then wasted no time in taking his race to his younger rivals.

With Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith in the irons, Obviously set his usual quick fractions. With the greatest of ease, the duo put up splits of :22.70, :45.67, and 1:09.13. Bolo continued to chase from second with Om, Cape Wolfe, and Yes Yes Yes racing in the third, fourth, and fifth spots respectively.

As the field moved down the backstretch and into the far turn, the running order did not change at all, though the first three did take closer order. Bolo and Om both made moves entering the final turn to go after Obviously, but the seasoned veteran wasn’t done yet.

Spinning for home, Obviously had once again kicked away from Bolo; and Om, who had loomed large entering the turn, was losing ground in the stretch. While it looked as though Obviously would get his first victory since taking the 2014 edition of the G1 Shoemaker Mile, Bolo had not yet thrown in the towel.

With the wire quickly approaching, Bolo finally switched to the correct lead and hit his best stride, nabbing his older rival by a neck in the final couple strides. The final time was a solid 1:33.09. Om continued on to finish third, Cape Wolfe rounded out the superfecta and Yes Yes Yes finished fifth and last.

Winning jockey Flavien Prat stated, “We had a good race today. The pace was perfect for him and he got to run a great distance for him. You have to be closer on the turf the way it’s playing so it worked out well. I knew the pace was already fast but I had to get out and go (when Om came up to Bolo’s outside on the far turn) because Obviously was still in front of me. When I came up next to Obviously, he picked it back up and I was a bit scared but I knew Bolo can get the distance and in the end, Obviously came back to us.”

Mike Smith, who was aboard the ageless Obviously, said post-race, “He settled great and he ran really well. They went in thirty-three to beat us; that’s pretty impressive. I wouldn’t say this track favors speed but…He just got run down today.”

Off 7-1 odds, Bolo paid $17.40/$7.20/$3.00 for the win. Obviously, the 4-5 favorite, returned $3.00/$2.10 for the place, and second choice Om returned $2.10 for the show. The $1 exacta paid $21.80, and the $1 trifecta returned $45.20.

Winning trainer Carla Gaines was understandably pleased to see her patience rewarded. “The horse had a terrific trip. All I told Flavien was to let him break and find his place in the race. I felt he’d be sitting right behind the leaders and he would still have a kick home. That’s exactly what happened.”

By Temple City and out of the Chief Seattle mare Aspen Mountain, Bolo is owned by Golden Pegasus Racing and Earle I. Mack LLC. Bred by Spendthrift Farm, Bolo was a private purchase and has not seen the auction ring. Now 9: 4-0-2 lifetime with purse earnings of $408,700, Bolo’s previous biggest win was in the 2014 edition of the Eddie Logan Stakes. That victory was bookended by a maiden and allowance scores. He was also previously grade 1 placed by virtue of a third place finish in last year’s Santa Anita Derby.

Gaines indicated that the next target for Bolo could be either the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile on the turf on March 12 or the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on the same day. When asked if a switch back to dirt for the Big Cap was possible, co-owner Keith Brackpool, who campaigns as Golden Pegasus Racing, Inc., quipped, “It seems like every other horse I hear about is being considered for Dubai…So we’ve got lots of options.”