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Boppy O first graded stakes winner for Bolt d’Oro

August 31, 2022

Boppy O (right) wins the 2022 With Anticipation S. (G3) – Sarah Andrew/NYRA

Leading First-Crop sire Bolt d’Oro got his first graded stakes winner and second black-type scorer in the past three days on Aug. 31 when Boppy O outgamed Battle of Normandy to win the $175,000 With Anticipation S. (G3) at Saratoga.

The With Anticipation was a race of firsts for the $190,000 Keeneland September Yearling auction buy. He was making his grass debut and first start around two turns for trainer Mark Casse. Boppy O, broke well and was just off the flank of El Conejito, who led narrowly through a slow half-mile in :50.09. Boppy O took over going into the final turn.

Coming into the stretch, Boppy O had Andthewinneris bearing down on him, but refused to give up the lead. Battle of Normandy’s late surge came up a neck short on the wire, with Boppy O finishing the 1 1/16-miles in 1:46.93 on the good turf.

“Going into this, he was showing highLeading First-Crop sire Bolt d’Oro got his first graded stakes winner and second black-type scorer in the past three days onLeading First-Crop sire Bolt d’Oro got his first graded stakes winner and second black-type scorer in the past three days on Aug. 31 when Boppy O outgamed Battle of Normandy Aug. 31 when Boppy O outgamed Battle of Normandy energy levels from last time. He was really coming into the race really nicely,” Davis said. “He broke real sharp. I could’ve taken the lead, but I wanted him to get his stride comfortable going into the first turn. He was loving every part of it. I took the lead early, but he was doing it so comfortable and any challenger that came up to him late, he was putting them away.”

Casse said Boppy O likely will make his next start in the grassy Bourbon Stakes (G2) Oct. 9 at Keeneland. Bred in Florida by Rustlewood Farm, Boppy O Has earned $140,000 from a record  2-0-0 in three starts for John Oxley and Breeze Easy LLC.

Bobby O is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Pappacat; his dam Pappascap has a yearling colt by Omaha Beach.

Bolt d’Oro got his first stakes winner on Aug. 28 when Mounsieur Coco won the Proud Man S. at Gulfstream Park. He now has five stakes horses overall, leading the First-Crop sire list.