Destino d'Oro is back, and by all appearances as good or better than before.

Thursday evening at Churchill Downs the Bolt d'Oro filly out of Heart of Destiny (Lion Heart) came alive down the stretch to win her 3yo allowance debut by a length.

The stylish comeback points to a potentially lucrative 2nd half of 2025 for Brad Cox's pupil, plus a potential meeting with division standout Nitrogen.

The Hurstland Farm graduate raced at the rear of the field over the firm course as New Rome took a clear lead into the far turn. Still well-behind at the 1/4 pole, Destino d'Oro unleashed the same big rally which nearly earned her victory in last October's Gr2 Jessamine S.

Under mostly hand urging, she carried Machado past 5yo mare New Rome and won going away. Gr2-placed 4yo Sy B finished 3rd.

Destino d'Oro is the last foal out of Heart of Destiny, runner-up in the Gr1 Alcibiades S. over Keeneland's then-synthetic surface. The start prior she graduated on turf at Saratoga ahead of future Gr1 winners Karlovy Vary and Lady of Shamrock.