Bentornato Primed for Breeders’ Cup Sprint return After Blazing Keeneland Workout
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A highly anticipated rematch looms on the horizon as Grade 2 winner Bentornato is on track for a return to the Breeders’ cup Sprint (G1) following a dominant workout at Keeneland. The four-year-old colt, owned by Leon King Stable Corp., clocked the fastest time recorded among 24 horses on saturday. “He worked amazing,” D’Angelo stated. “we worked him in company with [maiden 3-year-old] Araucano and I was very pleased with the workout. I saw everything I was looking for.We are ready for the Breeders’ Cup.”
A Near Miss and a Accomplished Comeback
Bentornato’s preparation for this year’s Sprint is built on a foundation of consistent performance and a burning desire to improve upon last year’s result. In the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, the Florida-bred colt finished a narrow second to Straight No Chaser, losing by a half-length. He has raced only once since, securing a commanding victory in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society on September 13th, winning by 5 lengths.
D’Angelo expressed strong confidence in Bentornato’s current condition. “I’m very confident in him. This was the plan. He was training for three or four months pointing to the race that he ran and now the Breeders’ Cup, so we are good,” he said. “He’s a maturing horse. He’s grown.”
Refining Strategy for Del Mar
A key focus for the team is refining bentornato’s racing style. “The most critically important thing is we teach him to sit behind horses,relax and make his move. That’s what we are looking for in the Breeders’ cup, too,” D’Angelo explained. “He can be in front pretty easy because he’s good and fast, but he doesn’t necessarily have to be there like last year.”
Bentornato’s early career was marked by success,including victories in the Proud man,Dr. Fager, and Affirmed divisions of the Florida Sire stakes series. Prior to his Breeders’ Cup bid last year, he also placed third in the Saudi Derby (G3), second in the Robert Hilton Memorial, and won the Gallant Bob (G2).
Shisospicy Also Targeting Breeders’ Cup Glory
D’Angelo also indicated that multiple graded-stakes winner Shisospicy is being pointed towards the Breeders’ cup Turf Sprint (G1). Owned by Morplay Racing and Qatar Racing, Ltd., the three-year-old filly recently breezed four furlongs in 47.40 seconds on october 15th at Keeneland. “It’s going to be tough, but we are super excited,” D’Angelo said.
Keeneland to Del Mar: Final Preparations
Bentornato will complete one final, easy work at Keeneland next weekend before shipping to Del Mar on October 27th, the site of this year’s Breeders’ Cup. The six-furlong Sprint is scheduled for November 1st.
$100,000 Rainbow 6 Jackpot looms at Gulfstream Park
Away from the Breeders’ Cup contenders, excitement is also building at Gulfstream Park, where the 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool is estimated to reach $100,000 for Friday’s Sunshine Meet. The wager has gone unsolved for three consecutive racing days following a mandatory payout of $1,872.46 on October 12th. Friday’s sequence will span Races 5-10, with a maiden special weight for two-year-old fillies in Race 6 featuring notable entrants like Little Georgie, a $630,000 daughter of Charlatan, and Amuse Me, a $425,000 filly making her dirt debut.
