Corona Bolt very game in $400,000 Lafayette S. victory

Corona Bolt captures the 2023 Lafayette S. at Keeneland – Coady photography

Bolt d’Oro, the nation’s leading Second-Crop sire, got his third stakes winner of the year Friday at Keeneland when Corona Bolt turned back a strong challenge from Hejazi to win the $400,000 Lafayette S. on the opening day of the Spring Meet.

Bolt d’Oro now has 10 stakes horses overall this year. Among his leading earners are Major Dude and Instant Coffee, who are both nominated for the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Corona Bolt, in post five, broke very well and made the lead in the first sixteenth. He was pressed through a half-mile in a rapid :44.80. As the field arrived at the quarter pole, Hejazi appeared to take a narrow lead, but Corona Bolt responded gallantly in the final furlong to win by a length in 1:23.21 for the seven furlongs on a fast track.

“He’s a very, very good colt,” said winning trainer Brad Cox. “I’m thankful for the opportunity with him and I think he has a big future. We need to find some graded stakes for him and we’re excited about what lies ahead.”

Bred by Summerfield Sales Agency and Etarip Stables in Florida, Corona Bolt is owned by Stonestreet Stables. His record is now 4-0-0 in five starts, with earnings of $356,400. The 3-year-old won the Sugar Bowl S. at Fair Grounds in December.

Cox added that Corona Bolt would stay at one-turn races for now, alluding to his only loss coming in the 1 1/16-mile Southwest S. (G3).