Book'em Danno's Next Race: Trainer Ryan Weighs Options After Saratoga Scare
Following a minor incident that led to his withdrawal from the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga, champion sprinter Book'em Danno has made a full recovery and is back at Monmouth Park. His trainer, Derek Ryan, is now meticulously evaluating two upcoming races as potential starting points for the horse's ultimate target: the Breeders' Cup Sprint. This strategic planning highlights the careful consideration given to a top athlete's health and competitive schedule in the high-stakes world of horse racing, ensuring optimal performance for future challenges.
The incident occurred just two days prior to the Forego, when Book'em Danno became entangled in his stall. While initially concerning, a thorough veterinary examination, including ultrasounds conducted on Monday, confirmed that the five-year-old gelding sustained no lasting injuries. Trainer Ryan expressed relief, stating that the horse is expected to resume light training, specifically shedrowing, by Wednesday, indicating a swift return to his routine.
Ryan has identified two primary contenders for Book'em Danno's next appearance: the Vosburgh Stakes (Grade 3) at Belmont Park on September 26, or the Phoenix Stakes (Grade 2) at Keeneland on October 2. Both races offer suitable preparation and competitive fields to gauge the horse's form and readiness for the Breeders' Cup. The trainer's selection will undoubtedly be based on a combination of factors, including the horse's current condition, track preference, and the strategic advantage each race offers in the lead-up to the prestigious championship event.
Book'em Danno has demonstrated impressive form throughout the current year, overcoming an early bump in the Carter Stakes (Grade 2) to finish a strong second by a narrow margin. He subsequently secured victories in two consecutive outings, triumphing in the Mr. Prospector at Monmouth and the True North Stakes (Grade 3) prior to that. This consistent performance underscores his talent and resilience. In the preceding year, 2025, the gelding concluded his season with a notable hat-trick of graded stakes wins, claiming the True North, the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (Grade 2), and the Forego. Despite this success, Ryan chose to bypass the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar that year, a decision that has likely informed his current, more focused approach to the championship race.
With a clean bill of health and a clear objective, the focus now shifts to selecting the optimal preparatory race. The trainer's decision between the Vosburgh and the Phoenix will be a crucial step in charting Book'em Danno's path towards the Breeders' Cup Sprint, a race where he aims to cement his status as a formidable competitor.