Book'em Danno works toward Forego repeat bid
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Book’em Danno has one more workout to go before he makes a repeat bid in the Grade 1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 29. It will be a simpler move than his last work, according to trainer Derek Ryan.
On Aug. 14, Book’em Danno was credited with a five-furlong workout at Monmouth Park in 1:00.60. Ryan said he had Book’em Danno a little faster and caught him galloping out a mile in 1:35.40.
“It’s one of the best works he’s ever had,” Ryan said. “Edwin Gonzalez works him better than anybody.”
Regardless of the time, Ryan said Book’em Danno is all set for his return to Grade 1 company in the Forego, a race he won last year in what was his final start of his season. His three victories at Saratoga last summer – he also won the Grade 3 True North and Grade 2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt – landed Book’em Danno an Eclipse Award as champion sprinter.
This year, Book’em Danno finished second in the Grade 2 Carter, won the True North and then ran in the Mr. Prospector Stakes at Monmouth, a race he won by 1 1/4 lengths over Quint’s Brew.
“I got what I wanted,” Ryan said. “He had a couple of hard races, that was the perfect race.”
Ryan said Book’em Danno would have a little blowout at Monmouth on Friday and that would be it.
Ryan also said that the Forego would be Book’em Danno’s last start before the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland on Oct. 31.
Among those expected to run in the Forego are Bring the Smoke, Crazy Mason, and Senior Officer.
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