Third at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in February in the G3 Saudi Derby behind Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) and Book'em Danno (Bucchero), who have each distinguished themselves on the world stage since that day, Bentornato (c, 3, Valiant Minister–Her Special Way, by Put It Back) took advantage of his own moment to shine Saturday in the GII Gallant Bob Stakes at Parx. The Florida-bred and Leon King Stable Corp. colorbearer captured his first graded stakes after a string of black-type wins in Florida last year while also keeping his unbeaten streak at six furlongs intact.
Bentornato wasn't quickest out of the gate, but stayed glued to the inside of July's Concern Stakes winner Sunny Breeze (Cajun Brreze), who held a head advantage at the :22:01 first quarter marker. Ohio-bred Alwaysintomischief (Maximus Mischief) joined the pair before the :45.08 half, looking every bit a threat, and the three came off the turn together. It wasn't long before Alwaysintomischief waved the white flag as Bentornato and Sunny Breeze matched strides down the lane, separating themselves from the field and brushing in the sort of pulsing stretch battle that doesn't deserve a loser. A dead heat was not to be, as Bentornato finished a determined neck to the better of a very game Sunny Breeze. Buccherino (Bucchero), the Aug. 24 winner of the Salvatore M. Debunda Sprint Stakes over both this surface and over Sunny Breeze, who was third that day, finished evenly for the show spot.
“At the farm, he acts like a little baby,” said winning trainer Jose D'Angelo of Bentornato. “When he is supposed to run or train, he is very professional. That is why I went over to Saudi, because he is a horse that is all business when he trains. He is strong, and when you have a strong horse, they can do whatever they want. They help to make things easier for you. When you have the one [post], you have to go from the start and sometimes you have to make fast fractions. We didn't want to use him too much because we knew we had to have horse at the end. The key to the race was the second fraction when he made :45 and he brought it home. He is a nice horse. I am very proud of him. My plan is the Breeders' Cup for him. We have a plan, always. This horse fights all the time and he never gives up.”
After making a splash in Florida at two last summer and fall–winning his first four straight, including three black-type events, all at Gulfstream–Bentornato took 2 1/2 months to prepare for the Saudi Derby. He showed the way early in the $1.5-million world event, finally finishing six lengths behind the top pair. While Forever Young went on to win the G2 UAE Derby and finish third in the GI Kentucky Derby, and Book 'em Danno's victories since have included the GI Woody Stephens Stakes at Saratoga, Bentornato took a more modest approach, returning for a runner-up finish and a career-high 99 Beyer last month in the Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes at Charles Town in his first start since Saudi. The Gallant Bob marked his first try in a graded event domestically. The dark bay, never been worse than third in his eight career starts and three-for-three at six panels, was named Florida's champion 2-year-old male of 2023.
Pedigree Notes:
Ocala's Bridlewood Farm stands Valiant Minister, a $680,000 OBS 2-year-old buy who won his only career start prior to a stall accident that ended his racing career. The son of Candy Ride (Arg) has had two black-type winners from his four small crops. Bentornato is his first graded winner.
Berntornato is also one of 40 stakes winners out of a mare by the late Put It Back. Her Special Way has a 2-year-old full-brother to Bentornato, as well as a yearling filly by Saketini. She was bred to Oscar Performance for next term. The year after Tanma Corp. bred Bentornato, Terry Dyer bought the mare at the 2022 OBS Winter Mixed Sale, carrying the now-juvenile, for $2,500, while Bentornato himself was a pinhook, picked up by Pro Racing Stables at the 2022 OBS Yearling sale for $45,000 and turned around to Champion Equine at the 2023 OBS March sale for $170,000.
#1 BENTORNATO ($4.00) wins the battle over Sunny Breeze in the $400,000 Gallant Bob Stakes (G2) at @ParxRacing.
The three-year-old Valiant Minister colt was ridden by @iradortiz for trainer @DangeloStable. pic.twitter.com/ZIpysfnjpm
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 21, 2024
Saturday, Parx Racing
GALLANT BOB S.-GII, $400,000, Parx Racing, 9-21, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.92, ft.
1–BENTORNATO, 122, c, 3, by Valiant Minister
1st Dam: Her Special Way, by Put It Back
2nd Dam: Inaspecial Way, by Seattle Sleet
3rd Dam: Special Image, by Farma Way
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($45,000 Ylg '22 OBSOCT; $170,000
2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-Leon King Stable Corp.; B-Tanma Corp.
(FL); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $231,000.
Lifetime Record: GSP-Sau, 8-5-1-2, $791,830. Werk Nick
Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Sunny Breeze, 122, g, 3, Cajun Breeze–Love My Sunshine,
by Khozan. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Stonehedge LLC
(FL); T-Edward T. Allard. $77,000.
3–Buccherino, 120, c, 3, Bucchero–Bellimbusto, by First Dude.
1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($75,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR).
O-Happy Tenth Stable; B-Blue River Bloodstock (FL); T-Alfredo
Velazquez. $38,500.
Margins: NK, 1, 1 3/4. Odds: 1.00, 17.90, 1.80.
Also Ran: Maximus Meridius, Alwaysintomischief, Practically Dark, One Sharp Cookie. Scratched: Awesome Ruta.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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