Bentornato scratched from Malibu with hot foot

ARCADIA, Calif. – Bentornato, the Breeders’ Cup Sprint runner-up who was scheduled to start as one of the favorites in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes on Thursday at Santa Anita, was scratched due to a hot foot.

The setback is minor according to trainer Jose D’Angelo, but the timing was unfortunate. D’Angelo said Bentornato had been “perfect” every day at Santa Anita since arriving from Florida on Dec.10, but Thursday morning things went south.

“He had a little [heat] in the left front foot,” D’Angelo said. “I’d rather take him out, and have him ready for the next out.”

Bentornato, second choice on the morning line for the Malibu, was coming off the best performance of his career, a runner-up finish in the BC Sprint in which he earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure. Bentornato was expected to set the pace in the Malibu.

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“We know what we have to do – skip the [Malibu], and give him time,” D’Angelo said. “We have plenty of time.”

D’Angelo said Bentornato had a similar issue early this year prior to finishing third in the Grade 3, $1.5 million Saudi Derby. Assuming his foot issue is resolved, plans call for Bentornato to make a return trip to the Middle East. The Grade 3, $1.5 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint is the first option on Feb. 24 at King Abdulaziz on Feb. 22 in Saudi Arabia.

The Grade 1, $2 million Golden Shaheen on March 30 at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai is the next option. Bentornato has won five races and $1,131,830 from nine starts.

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