The withdrawal of Book’em Danno has completely altered the landscape for the Forego Stakes

The champion sprinter was ruled out of this Saturday's feature event at Saratoga after becoming cast in his stall overnight, leaving Senior Officer, Tip Top Thomas, and Hymn as the leading contenders

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— The Forego Stakes (G1-1,400 m, dirt, $500,000) lost its standout star just hours before post time. Book’em Danno (Bucchero), last season's champion sprinter and defending titleholder, was scratched after becoming cast in his stall overnight, a setback that completely reshaped the landscape for one of the feature attractions on the Travers Stakes (G1) card.

According to trainer Derek Ryan, the remarkable New Jersey-bred became trapped against the wall of his box, unable to rise. Although no severe injuries were reported, his team did not hesitate to withdraw him to prioritize his recovery.

The current plan is to redirect him toward the Vosburgh Stakes (G3) on September 26 at Belmont Park as his final prep targeting the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland in October.

Book’em Danno entered as the heavy favorite to repeat his 2025 victory and build upon a formidable record at Saratoga, where he has won 5 of his 6 starts. In addition to last year's Forego, his Union Avenue triumphs include two victories in the True North Stakes (G3), a score in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes (G2), and a 3-year-old victory in the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1).

A winner of 12 of his 19 career starts with earnings exceeding $2,200,000, the Atlantic Six Racing runner came off a 1 1/4-length victory over Quint’s Brew (Mosler) in the Mr. Prospector Stakes on July 17 at Monmouth Park. His recent morning workouts had also been sharp, highlighted by a 5-furlong bullet in 1m00s60/100.

“He's an incredible horse. Hopefully he can keep it going,” Ryan noted earlier in the week, eager to defend the title. He also praised the colt's chemistry with Paco López, victorious in 6 of their 8 pairings: “If he gets into a dogfight in the stretch, he's tough as nails.”

Without the champion, the race opens up considerably. Also bypassing the event is Banishing (Ghostzapper), who finished second on Friday night in the Charles Town Classic Stakes (G2), leaving a field of 6 remaining starters.

Among them, Senior Officer (Into Mischief) will aim to extend his 3-race winning streak. Trained by Brad Cox, he comes off a neck victory over Tip Top Thomas in a grueling allowance contest locally and will tackle his first G1 test under Luis Sáez.

Tip Top Thomas, meanwhile, seeks redemption for Todd Pletcher and Flavien Prat. The son of Volatile was making his return that afternoon following a nearly 9-month layoff, setting the pace before Senior Officer caught him late. “He ran way too good to lose. I think 1,400 meters will suit him better,” Pletcher noted.

Another contender is Hymn (Catholic Boy), recently second in the Vanderbilt (G2), while Bring the Smoke(Preservationist) looks to build on his progress following a win in the Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3). The Whit Beckman trainee suffered a rough start when finishing fourth behind Senior Officer and Tip Top Thomas, an effort far better than shown on paper.

The lineup is completed by Crazy Mason (Coal Front), winner of the Carter Stakes (G2) and third in this event in 2025, and T Kraft (Connect), sent out by Bill Mott with Junior Alvarado in the irons.

The Forego, an automatic qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), lost its marquee star before the gates opened. Without Book’em Danno, there is no defending champion to beat, but rather a massive opportunity for a new contender to claim the biggest win of their career.