Santa Anita news: Bolt d'Oro, McKinzie could get a rematch next out

The San Felipe Stakes controversy over the disqualification of McKinzie, awarding a victory Saturday to Bolt d'Oro, will no doubt be fodder for racetrack conversation for some time to come.

No one is more keenly aware of the agony of defeat via DQ than trainer David Bernstein, who witnessed Phil and Sophie Hersh’s The Wicked North finish first by 1 ½ lengths in the 1994 Big ’Cap, but subsequently have his number taken down in a most controversial decision.

“I think the disqualification was deserved,” said Bernstein. “McKinzie came out the last 16th (of a mile), but it could have gone either way. The last bump was the kiss of death, however.

“You hate to see any disqualification in a big race, especially this one, because both horses ran their eyeballs out.”

Relief, pride, fulfillment and gratitude were but four emotions percolating through the veins of Mick Ruis, owner/trainer of Bolt d’Oro. The colt had missed his intended 3-year-old debut on Feb. 10 in the San Vicente Stakes due to a pulled muscle, so Ruis, with time not on his side, had no alternative but to bring the son of Medaglia d’Oro into the San Felipe on works alone in his first start since finishing third after a wide trip Nov. 4 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Naysayers had a field day speculating that the horse wouldn’t be up to the task, but Mick and his wife and co-owner, Wendy, restrained malice, enjoying a low key celebration last night at home with family and friends.

Too soon for champagne, they brought in pizza from Domino's.

“Give a lot of credit to Ruis,” said fellow trainer Richard Baltas. “His horse is the real deal and he deserves it.”

Now racing fans worldwide sit in anticipation of a rematch in the $1 million, Grade I Santa Anita Derby on April 7, should the fates allow.

Both came out of their epic battle in good shape and could meet again in the West Coast’s major steppingstone to the Kentucky Derby on May 5.

“Bolt came back fantastic, ate his food, his legs are tight and cold, so we live for another day,” Ruis said early Sunday morning. “He’s going to build off that race, because we didn’t have him all the way (cranked).”

Asked whether Javier Castellano would stay with Bolt in his upcoming races, since the four-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey has other Triple Crown options pending some two months before the Run for the Roses, Ruis was non-committal.

“I don’t know yet,” he said. “We have to talk to Javier and see what he wants to do, but I’ve got another jockey who’s licking his chops if he doesn’t want to ride,” alluding to Hall of Fame member, three-time Kentucky Derby winner and Triple Crown king Victor Espinoza.

Jim Barnes, assistant to Bob Baffert, trainer of McKinzie, said the previously unbeaten colt came back “very good. We’re in great shape.”

Ditto for racing, should Bolt and Mc meet again.

VAN DYKE’S FOUR-BAGGER PUTS HIM FOURTH IN STANDINGS

Thanks to a sweep of Saturday’s first four races, Drayden Van Dyke moved into fourth place in Santa Anita’s Winter Meet standings through 43 days with 27 victories.

The 23-year-old Louisville native won the first two races for Bob Baffert with Call West ($6.20) and McKale ($3.20); the second on Well Developed ($9.40) for Paddy Gallagher; and the fourth aboard City of Light ($4) in the Grade I Triple Bend Stakes for Michael McCarthy.

“I’m very pleased,” said his agent, Brad Pegram, who also represents Mike Smith. “Drayden is a really good rider and just keeps moving forward. He’s great to work with and very mature. He’s a really good kid and works hard.

“He has everything you’d want in a rider.”

FINISH LINES: Getting in main track workout licks Saturday morning before Sunday’s inclement weather were Triple Crown prospect Solomini, a bullet five furlongs in 59 flat for Bob Baffert; Santa Anita Oaks winner Paradise Woods, a bullet six furlongs in 1:12.60 for Richard Mandella; and champion male three-year-old of 2017 West Coast, six furlongs in 1:12.80, also for Baffert . . . Airfoil, 3-1 morning line favorite in today’s seventh race, has been claimed eight times from his last 12 races. The eight-year-old Bernaradini gelding, now trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, has a 9-12-9 record from 46 starts . . . Stewart Elliott has been suspended three days (March 17, 18 and 22) for causing interference on Tiny Tina in Friday’s seventh race.