Bentornato Delivers Perfect Revenge to Complete Historic Double for D’Angelo and Ortiz

The horse that finished second in the 2024 Sprint (G1) turned the tables this time, winning from gate to wire in a display of sheer dominance

Bentornato, Pure Poetry in Motion at the Finish of the Sprint / BREEDERS' CUP

By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario at Del Mar, California)

DEL MAR, California — The American racing scene witnessed a truly memorable moment Saturday at Del Mar, as Bentornato (Valiant Minister) avenged his runner-up finish from a year ago with a commanding victory in the GI Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint, sealing a day for the ages for trainer José Francisco D’Angelo and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.

The 4-year-old bay, owned by Leon King Stable Corp., fulfilled his role as favorite to perfection. Breaking sharply, he took control from the start and never looked back, completing the 1200 meters over a fast track in 1:08.20. Under Ortiz’s confident handling and D’Angelo’s sharp conditioning, Bentornato drew off to score by 2¼ lengths over Imagination (Into Mischief), with defending champion Straight No Chaser (Speightster) fading in the final furlong after trying to match strides early.

The result made history: just 40 minutes earlier, D’Angelo and Ortiz had teamed up to win the GI Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint with Shisospicy (Mitole), pulling off a rare back-to-back double across turf and dirt—an extraordinary feat that underlined the duo’s remarkable form and synchronicity.

“I’m just so happy to be here again,” said an emotional D’Angelo. “We prepared both horses all year for this day, and everything went exactly as planned. We thought about every detail—the training, the travel, even the logistics. Today, everything came together perfectly. I can only thank God for this moment.”

For Ortiz Jr., the victory marked his 23rd Breeders’ Cup win, and his fourth in the Sprint, placing him among the most successful riders in the history of the event.

The race unfolded just as scripted. From the break, Bentornato shot to the front, shadowed by Straight No Chaser and American Stage (Into Mischief), who tried to maintain the pressure. Fractions of :21.48 and :44.14 confirmed a punishing pace, but Ortiz never panicked. Turning for home, he loosened the reins, and Bentornato responded instantly, widening his lead with every stride. Though Imagination closed late, the outcome was never in doubt.

“José told me the horse was at his absolute best,” Ortiz said. “We just needed a clean break and to let him do his thing. He’s naturally fast, and today he showed it. Last year he lost this race by a head to Straight No Chaser—this time, he got his revenge. I’ve ridden him all summer, I know what he has, and I knew he’d have plenty left at the end.”

With the win, Bentornato pushed his career earnings to $2,322,180, improving his record to 11 starts: 7 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds, while capturing his first Grade 1 victory—the crowning achievement of a campaign that had long hinted at top-level potential.

Bred in Florida by Arindel, Bentornato is by Valiant Minister, a son of Candy Ride who is emerging as one of the most promising speed sires in the U.S., out of Her Special Way (Put It Back).

For D’Angelo, the day carried a special resonance. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” he admitted with a smile. “Maybe tomorrow, when I wake up, I’ll realize what happened—but the day after, we’ll already be back to work. That’s racing.”

The Venezuelan trainer, who in just a few years has risen from a Gulfstream Park up-and-comer to a national force, wrote one of the most memorable chapters of his career at Del Mar. It’s not every day a trainer wins two Breeders’ Cup races back-to-back, one on turf and one on dirt.

The Breeders’ Cup Sprint has always been one of the most demanding events of the festival—a test where speed and precision define greatness. This time, Bentornato embodied both. It was revenge fulfilled, redemption achieved, and the ultimate confirmation of José D’Angelo’s ascent to the top echelon of world racing—a day that will forever stand as his Breeders’ Cup masterpiece.