Dazzle d’Oro Earns ‘TDN Rising Star’ Status With Impressive Churchill Debut
Churchill Downs unveiled another potential star Saturday as Dazzle d’Oro dominated his maiden special weight debut, earning ‘TDN Rising Star’ honors with a commanding three-length victory.
The 2-year-old Bolt d’Oro colt, sent off as the 9-5 favorite, demonstrated exceptional gate speed and maintained his advantage throughout the six-furlong contest, stopping the clock in 1:08.65.
Jose Ortiz, who secured the leading jockey title at Churchill’s spring meet, delivered a confident ride aboard the Tom Amoss trainee. Dazzle d’Oro broke sharply and established immediate command, setting blistering fractions of :21.33 for the quarter and :44.47 for the half-mile.
When Blackout Time (Not This Time) attempted to challenge in upper stretch, Dazzle d’Oro responded with another gear to draw clear decisively.
His final time nearly matched the stakes record of 1:08.61 set by Romeo (Honor A.P.) in the Bashford Manor Stakes later on the card.
“I knew that he was talented, and that field was loaded,” Amoss said. “I turned to the owners as the horses were going in the gate and said ‘let’s get a good break and have a fair fight’ and he broke well. When [Dazzle d’Oro] made the lead, I turned to them and said ‘he has no excuses.'”
Amoss credited late trainer Lynn Whiting, who conditioned 1992 Kentucky Derby winner Lil E. Tee, for sharing valuable wisdom. “He told me once ‘if you ever have one go to gate at Churchill Downs, and worked under a minute from the gate, you have a runner.’ Lynn’s words held true.”
The connections have already mapped out the colt’s next target.
“We are excited for his future and we plan on taking him to Saratoga for the summer—the Saratoga Special would be under consideration,” Amoss added.
Co-breeder Nicky Drion recalled the colt’s early promise. “He was a great looking foal from birth all the way up until we sold him at Keeneland November,” Drion said. “I sold him as a weanling, so I didn’t have him very long, but with me he was straightforward.”
Dazzle d’Oro, purchased by Lauren Carlisle for $250,000 at last year’s Keeneland September Sale, is the second winner for his dam Sunnysammi (First Defence), who was multiple stakes-placed and earned $252,692 during her racing career.
Sunnysammi has also produced an unraced 3-year-old full-sister named Propaganda, a yearling filly by Speaker’s Corner, and a 2025 colt by Army Mule. She is a daughter of In Awe, the half-sister to SW Mystic Soul (Bahri)—dam of SW & MGSP Encryption (Exchange Rate)—and to Mystic Chant (Unbridled’s Song), who produced GISW Voodoo Song (English Channel).
The victory gave Ortiz a riding double early on Saturday’s Churchill Downs card.
DAZZLE D'ORO ($5.88) ✨sparkled ✨ under @jose93_ortiz on debut in the 4th at @Churchilldowns. The colt by Bolt d'Oro (@spendthriftfarm) is one to watch! The two-year-old is conditioned by @TomAmossRacing. pic.twitter.com/L6edQUFguu
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing)
DAZZLE D'ORO ($5.88) ✨sparkled ✨ under June 29, 2025
