Ryan to use Vanderbilt as stepping-stone to Forego for Book'em Danno

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Book’em Danno, who won the Grade 3 True North here last month, was expected to ship to Saratoga by the weekend to prepare for a start in the Grade 2, $400,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt going six furlongs on July 19.

Trainer Derek Ryan was choosing between the Vanderbilt and the $100,000 Reigh Count Stakes at Colonial Downs on July 26, but opted for the more prestigious and lucrative spot for the New Jersey-bred millionaire.

“He’s doing really good. I don’t think it’s going to be a big field again,” Ryan said. “I suppose it’s the logical step.”

The major target for Book’em Danno here this summer is the Grade 1, $500,000 Forego on Aug. 23.

Book’em Danno is 2 for 3 this year with a victory in a restricted overnight handicap at Colonial in March. He then stepped up into the Grade 1 Churchill Downs, where he finished fourth, beaten a neck by Mindframe. That horse came back to win the Grade 1 Stephen Foster while Nysos, who dead-heated for second in the Churchill Downs, came back to win the Triple Bend Stakes.

“That Churchill race has come back key race,” Ryan said.

Ryan said he was planning to ship Book’em Danno here to get in his final workout for the Vanderbilt. Ryan said inclement weather was in the forecast for the weekend at Monmouth Park.

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