Fracture Sidelines Bentornato Until 2027

The winner of the latest Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) suffered a small sesamoid fracture and will undergo surgery in Kentucky. The prognosis is favorable, but he will not compete again during the current season

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special to Turf Diario).- Bentornato, winner of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Sprint(G1) at Del Mar, is out of competition for the remainder of the year due to a small sesamoid fracture, as confirmed by his trainer, the Venezuelan José D’Angelo.

The son of Valiant Minister (Candy Ride), owned by Leon King Stable and TCC Stables, had breezed 800 meters on July 4 at Saratoga in 49s66/100. The injury was detected on July 10, following a gallop.

“The fracture is very small and hard to see, which is why it took some time to determine what had happened and organize the surgery,” D’Angelo explained.

Bentornato will travel this Sunday to Kentucky to undergo surgery. According to his trainer, specialists consider the prognosis to be very good, and the expectation is that he will be able to return to the races during 2027.

The horse contested two races this season. He ran second to Dark Saffron (Flameaway) in the Dubai Golden Shaheen(G1) at Meydan, and then closely chased home Book’em Danno (Bucchero) in the True North Stakes (G3) at Saratoga.

Throughout his campaign, Bentornato secured 7 victories, 4 seconds, and 2 thirds from 13 appearances, bankrolling $2,802,180 in purses.

In addition to his crowning achievement in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, he captured the 2024 Gallant Bob Stakes (G2) and two legs of the 2023 Florida Sire Series, the Dr. Fager Stakes and the Affirmed Stakes. He was also second in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and third in that season's Saudi Derby (G3).

The injury interrupts a campaign of remarkable consistency for Bentornato, who finished in the top three in 12 stakes from ages 2 to 5. Now, the objective will be to complete a patient recovery and return at the top of his form during 2027.

With Bentornato sidelined, the aforementioned Book’em Danno, who runs today in the Mr. Prospector Stakes (L) at Monmouth Park, now finds a much clearer path toward his target of capturing the Sprint in October.