Once she got to the lead in the lane, they couldn't reel her back in, and Destino d'Oro (Bolt d'Oro) sailed home much the best in the GIII Pucker Up Stakes at Ellis Park.
The Brad Cox runner started her career as a juvenile at Kentucky Downs in late August last season, and went back to front in a maiden special to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Deep in the field behind her were two next-out winners and GSW Will Then (War of Will). She tried a similar tactic Oct. 4 at Keeneland in the GII Jessamine Stakes, and was third in a blanket photo–the trifecta filled out by a difference of noses–with GSW & GISP May Day Ready (Tapit) and SW & MGSP Totally Justified (Justify).
Gone since those efforts, she resurfaced June 19 at Churchill Downs for her 3-year-old bow and once again roared home in the lane from last to win by a length against older allowance company.
Returning to graded company here, the public hammered Destino d'Oro at the windows until she left the gates as the even-money favorite. Content to track Drop the Hammer (Gun Runner) from second as that one posted fractions of :23.19, :47.65, and 1:10.97, the betting choice was the looming danger as they swung for home and the longtime leader threw in the towel at the top of the stretch. Inhaling that competition and leaving the cavalry to decide the minor placings, it was 3 3/4 lengths back to Hereforagoodtime (Justify) in second when the dust settled. Admit (Blame) was a neck back in third.
“She sat much closer to the pace this time and I think it really helped her,” said winning rider Luan Machado. “Down the backside, I could tell she was full of run, even sitting as close to the pace as she was. She's been very impressive so far in her career and I think has a great future ahead of her.”
Destino D'Oro was a powerful winner in the G3 Pucker Up at @ellisparkracing! 🏇
Back-to-back stakes wins for jockey @luanmachado85! @bradcoxracing trains.
🎥 #TwinSpiresRepay pic.twitter.com/EoqqLH8qtw
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 3, 2025
Pedigree Notes:
The victress is the last registered offspring for her dam Heart of Destiny, who was elite placed in her career by way of a runner-up effort in the G1 Darley Alcibiades Stakes. The mare claims MGSP Brother Bobby (Out of Place) as a half-sibling as well as the dam of MGSP Undervalued Asset (Speightstown). This is the immediate female family of GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes heroine Rosalind (Broken Vow), who was also placed in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in her career.
Sunday, Ellis
PUCKER UP S.-GIII, $399,400, Ellis, 8-3, 3yo, f, 1 1/8mT, 1:45.64, fm.
1–DESTINO D'ORO, 118, f, 3, by Bolt d'Oro
1st Dam: Heart of Destiny (GISP, $242,089), by Lion Heart
2nd Dam: Doc's Destiny, by Doc's Leader
3rd Dam: Ventured, by Codex
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($20,000
Wlg '22 KEENOV; $25,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $185,000 2yo '24
OBSAPR). O-Steve Landers Racing LLC; B-Hurstland Farm,
Inc. & James H. Greene, Jr. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Luan
Machado. $237,250. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1, $444,909.
Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross
pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style
pedigree.
2–Hereforagoodtime, 118, f, 3, Justify–First Hour, by
Speightstown. ($400,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Flying
Dutchmen Breeding and Racing LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC
(KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. $77,500.
3–Admit, 118, f, 3, Blame–Profess, by War Front. 1ST
GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Claiborne Farm (KY); T-Thomas
Drury, Jr. $38,750.
Margins: 3 3/4, NK, HF. Odds: 1.05, 2.99, 10.95.
Also Ran: Liam in the Dust, Drop the Hammer, Deloraine, Nosleeptilbrooklyn, Fixin to Bee, Princess Attitude, Just Ruthless.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs.
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