Major Dude takes Penn Mile (G2) to top weekend stakes double for Bolt d’Oro
June 4, 2023
Leading Second-Crop sire Bolt d’Oro had a terrific first weekend of June, with Major Dude scoring a thrilling victory in the $400,000 Penn Mile S. (G2) on Friday night, while Bobby O followed up on Saturday with a win in the Jersey Derby at Monmouth Park.
Bolt d’Oro also registered a pair of maiden special weight winners over the weekend, giving him a total of 37 individual winners of 44 races to date in 2023, the most in both categories for all Second-Crop sires.
Major Dude, already a two-tiLeading Second-Crop sire Bolt d’Oro had a terrific first weekend of June, with Major Dude scoring a thrilling victory in the $400,000 Penn Mile S. (G2)me graded stakes winner prior to Friday’s start, was heavily favored in the field of eight 3-year-olds. Under Irad Ortiz, Jr., he broke well from post two and was third, less than two lengths from the lead through the first half-mile. The bay colt made a move up the inside to challenge for the lead going into the final bend, but was pinched back to fourth midway on the turn.
Re-rallying on the outside, Major Dude came three-wide and ran down Behind Enemy Lines (GB) to win by three-quarters of a length in a swift 1:33.73 on the firm turf.
“We kind of squeezed and shuffled back there on the turn, and Irad got him out in the clear,” said Stu Hampson, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher. “Once he found clear running, he did it all himself. He’s a really cool horse to be around and obviously a really talented horse. Hopefully, he’ll have a big rest of his 3-year-old year.”
Owned by Spendthrift Farm, Major Dude won the Pilgrim S. (G2) at two, then took the Kitten’s Joy S. (G3) in February. His overall record is 4-2-2 in 10 starts, with earnings of $714,895. He was bred by Clearsky Farms.
Boppy O came from well off the pace to win the Jersey Derby, which was also contested at a mile on the turf. He was at the back of the pack at the midway point before launching his bid. He steadily made up ground until turning for home, and after being set down for the drive, he powered past Talk of the Nation in deep stretch to win going away by a length in 1:34.02 on the firm turf.
Owned by John Oxley and Breeze Easy LLC, Boppy O won Saratoga’s With Anticipation S. (G3) last term and now sports a mark of 3-2-1 from 10 starts, and earnings of $268,978.
Boppy O was bred by Rustlewood Farm and is a half-brother to Best Pal S. (G2) winner Pappacap.