Book’em Danno Confirmed His Love for Saratoga with Vanderbilt Romp

The Son of Bucchero Captures Third Graded Win at the Spa with Another Strong Effort Over Mullikin

Book’em Danno Delivered Another Superb Performance at Saratoga / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).-  There is no doubt that Saratoga is one of Book’em Danno’s favorite playgrounds, and the brave son of Bucchero made that abundantly clear on Saturday with a commanding performance in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes (G2). The feature event of the day was contested over six furlongs with a purse of $400,000 for older horses.

Ridden with precision by Paco Lopez and trained by Derek Ryan, the Atlantic Six Racing colorbearer asserted his superiority once again over Mullikin (Violence), whom he had defeated a month earlier in the True North Stakes (G3), to secure his third graded victory at Saratoga and reinforce his status as one of the nation’s leading sprinters.

The New Jersey-bred four-year-old stumbled slightly leaving the gates but quickly settled in a stalking position along the rail behind early pacesetters Damon’s Mound (Girvin) and Mullikin, who set an opening quarter in :22.07 over a fast track. Lopez patiently kept his mount tucked inside until midway around the turn, where he shifted out to engage Mullikin before drawing off with authority down the lane.

At the wire, Book’em Danno stopped the clock in 1:08.98, finishing 2 1/2 lengths clear of Mullikin, who once again ran with great consistency to finish second for the second consecutive time. It was another 3 3/4 lengths back to Nakatomi (Firing Line) in third, with Damon’s Mound, Baby Yoda (Prospective), and Nash (Medaglia d’Oro) completing the order of finish.

“I think that was one of his best performances,” Ryan remarked. “He came into the race in great shape, and Paco gave him a sharper work last week to have him closer to the pace. I’ve always believed in him, though at Saratoga, anything can happen. He’s shown he loves this track. He’s undefeated in four starts at six furlongs, and that says a lot.”

Lopez, who earlier on the card won the Caress Stakes (G3) on turf with Future Is Now (Great Notion), was pleased with how the race unfolded: “He broke a little flat for a sprinter but picked up his stride quickly and was very relaxed behind the speed. When I tipped him out to go past Mullikin in the stretch, he really responded. He loves having a target in front. When he’s down on the inside he can get a bit idle, but today was perfect.”

Winner of last year’s Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) and third with trouble in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) at the Spa, Book’em Danno now boasts seven stakes wins and nine victories overall from fifteen starts, with earnings approaching $1.35 million. The dark bay is out of Adorabella (Ghostzapper), making him a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Girl Trouble (Fast Anna).

Looking ahead, Ryan hinted at a possible start in the Forego Stakes (G1) on August 23, a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar. However, he joked about a different route: “That’s the logical spot; there aren’t many other options. But, who knows, there’s a New Jersey-bred allowance that same day… we might just have some fun there too,” he laughed.

One thing remains certain: as long as Book’em Danno lines up at Saratoga, he will be the horse to beat.