Book’em Danno surges late for True North victory
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Back to his favorite track and taking advantage of a favorable scenario from both a pace and distance perspective, Book’em Danno defeated Bentornato by three-quarters of a length in Saturday’s Grade 3 True North Stakes at Saratoga in a showdown of two of the top sprinters in training.
Book’em Danno, the champion sprinter of 2025, sat behind Bentornato - last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner - and Listenupshance, who were heads apart through a half-mile in 43.44 seconds. Turning for home, jockey Paco Lopez swung Book’em Danno to the outside and, while Bentornato and Listenupshance dueled each other the length of the stretch, Book’em Danno went by the duo late. Bentornato held second by a nose over Listenupshance.
Imagination, who steadied down the backside behind Bentornato, finished fourth, followed by Illuminare and Faust. Acoustic Ave, Be You, Pentathlon all scratched.
Book’em Danno won the True North for the second straight year, equaling the feat of Firenze Fire in 2020-21. It was his fifth win from six starts at Saratoga and 11th win from 18 starts overall. His victories in the True North, Alfred G. Vanderbilt and Forego here last year carried Book’em Danno to the sprint championship. Bentornato went 2 for 2 last year, including a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
Book’em Danno began his 2026 campaign in the Grade 2 Carter and was beaten a neck by longshot Point Dume. Derek Ryan, the trainer of Book’em Danno, felt his horse was one workout short.
Ryan said the horse had been training “unbelievable” leading to the True North. Ryan acknowledged Book’em Danno benefitted from Listenupshance, who broke slow, rushing up to challenge Bentornato early on.
“I left it up to Paco,” Ryan said of the trip. “He said, “I’m going to be close.’ I told him if he’s two behind [Bentornato] turning for home he’ll get him. … He knows the horse so well, he knows what I want, I want him on the outside and make your move on the outside.”
Book’em Danno, a 5-year-old New Jersey-bred gelding by Bucchero owned by Atlantic Six Racing, covered the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:14.79 (104 Beyer Speed Figure) and returned $5.72 as the second choice.
Bentornato, the even-money favorite Saturday, was making his second start of the year after finishing second in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan in March.
Jose D’Angelo, the trainer of Bentornato, said he was a little concerned about the 6 1/2 furlongs of the True North. Six of Bentornato’s seven wins have come at six furlongs or shorter, his one win at seven furlongs came in a Florida Stallion Stakes.
“His best distance is six furlongs,” D’Angelo said. “When I saw the fractions, I was thinking that at the end that can cost us the race and I think it did. Very proud of him, he came from Dubai, a long trip, he ran a huge race today.”
Listenupshance, ridden by Antonio Fresu, also ran a huge race after acting up in the gate, breaking poorly and then rushing up the inside to duel with Bentornato.
“When they opened the gate, he missed the break,” Fresu said. “I was lucky enough to find a spot on the inside, the horse was very comfortable in there; the first fraction cost me the finish, but very pleased the way he ran.”
Book’em Danno and Bentornato will likely meet again but it won’t be anytime soon. Book’em Danno will skip the Alfred G. Vanderbilt on July 25 and will likely point to the Grade 1 Forego at seven furlongs on Aug. 29. If D’Angelo wants to keep Bentornato at six furlongs then he will likely target the Vanderbilt.
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